There are over 2 million car accidents a year in the United States, many of which involve injuries of some kind, whether they are minor or more severe.

When you get in a car accident, the last thing on your mind is consulting with an attorney. However, navigating the complexities of what comes after a car accident and making sure that you are compensated properly can be extremely difficult without help.

Let’s discuss the most common type of car accident injuries, what you should do immediately after a car accident, and just how much a personal injury attorney can affect your case.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Head and Brain Injuries

Some of the most debilitating injuries from car accidents involve the head or the brain. They are also some of the hardest to diagnose right away, as they can take time to develop and their symptoms can be subtle at times.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Most traumatic brain injuries are a result of falls, gunshots, or motor vehicle accidents and are infamous for being slow to show symptoms.

Early indications that could signal a more serious injury in the brain include:

Minor memory issues
Minor impairment of brain functions
Minor impairment of body functions

Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, which can cause death and lifelong issues. They can be especially problematic in children, as they can disrupt their brain development.

Concussions

Concussions occur when a sudden movement of the brain stops, causing it to bounce around inside of the skull and twist or stretch out of shape. This can not only lead to chemical changes in the brain, but also cause bruising, bleeding, or tearing inside of the brain.

Concussions can very quickly become potentially serious and life-threatening. Because the injury can’t actually be seen, extra precautions need to be taken even if you believe you only have a bump on your head.

Symptoms to look out for that may indicate a serious concussion include:

Changes in learning
Changes in concentration
Changes in memory
Changes in your ability to solve problems

In the long term, a brain injury like this could cause:

Changes in movement
Changes in sensation
Changes in personality
Changes in cognitive function

Spinal and Back Injuries

Spinal and back injuries resulting from car accidents can also be extremely serious and cause disabilities.

Back Injuries

Back injuries can include:

Strain, when there is damage to the muscles and tendons
Sprain, when ligaments in the back tear and stretch
Slipped or herniated disc, when one vertebra slips out of place, sending sensitive inner tissue outside of its bony protection
Ruptured disc, when a vertebrae is damaged or broken open
Pinched nerve, when pressure compresses a nerve, causing pain and impaired movement
Nerve damage, when debilitating pain results from trauma to the nerves

Paralysis

Paralysis is generally caused by serious spinal cord injuries and can be either partial or total below the place of the injury. Car accidents are responsible for nearly half of all spinal cord injuries, as a severe blow to the back can dislocate or fracture vertebrae and tear or bruise the spinal cord.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for a spinal cord injury, but it can be helped with surgeries, physical rehabilitation, pain treatment, and mobility equipment.

Paralysis can cause you to lose the ability to move your arms and legs, as well as other symptoms, like:

Loss of feeling and touch
Loss of experiencing heat and cold
Loss of movement
Spasms
Large reflex actions
Infertility
Difficulty breathing
Chronic pain

Facial Injuries from Car Accidents

Your face is a particularly sensitive area of your body, with easily damaged parts like the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Types of facial injuries that can commonly result from a car accident include:

Bone Fractures

Facial bones can break and have difficulty healing, sometimes causing permanent disfigurement.

Lacerations

Lacerations are deep cuts to your face that require stitches and could potentially leave permanent scars.

Eye Injuries

Debris or blunt force can injure eyes, and in the most severe cases, cause blindness.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are any injuries to tendons, cartilage muscles, ligaments, or other soft tissue that could lead to impaired function and deformity.

Burns

Burns may require skin grafting, as well as cause scarring and discoloration.

Facial Deformities

Any injuries to the face can cause deformities, which can affect the face’s appearance and functions.

Tooth Loss

Needing to have dental work due to teeth injury or loss is common after a car accident.

Neck and Chest Injuries

Jarring the body in a car accident can easily cause injuries to the muscles, tendons, cartilage, and other soft tissues in your neck.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in a car accident and is mostly caused by rear-end collisions. Thankfully, most cases of whiplash heal within a couple of weeks.

Indications of whiplash include:

Neck pain and stiffness
Worse pain when your neck moves
Loss of range of motion
Headaches
Shoulder, upper back, or arm pain
Tingling and numbness
Fatigue
Dizziness
Irritability or personality change
Difficulty concentrating
Memory issues
Blurry vision
Tinnitus
Sleep difficulties
Depression

Limb and Extremity Injuries

The force involved in car accidents can easily injure your limbs, or even take a limb off in its entirety.

Limb and extremity injuries that commonly result from a car accident include:

Wrist and hand injuries
Leg and foot injuries
Arm injuries

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, like internal bleeding, typically occur due to a blunt force that doesn’t penetrate the skin, but still injures the bones, muscles, and organs underneath.

Internal injuries do not appear right away, which is one of the many reasons to visit the hospital after you get into an accident, even if you don’t believe you’re injured.

Emotional and Psychological Injuries

When focusing on the physical injuries that come with a car accident, it’s easy to overlook the emotional and psychological damage that they can cause.

A common psychological disorder that arises after a car accident is post-traumatic stress disorder, which can cause severe anxiety and depression. Healing your mental health, in this case, may require professional treatment.

The Aftermath of an Accident

After an accident, it’s essential to immediately seek medical help, even if you’re not sure if you’re injured. This is for two reasons:

You may actually be injured, but you’re just not showing any signs of it yet
You will need documents of your injuries for legal and insurance purposes if you choose to file a claim

The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney

It may be tempting to file a claim by yourself, but there are a couple of very good reasons to consult with a personal injury attorney.

They understand medical jargon and injury implications
They have a lot of experience dealing with insurance companies
They will be able to estimate the true cost of your injury, including medical expenses and lost wages
They can ensure that you’ll get the compensation that you deserve

Talk to the Experts at Naqvi Injury Law

It can be difficult to navigate injuries caused by car accidents on your own.

That’s why it’s essential to consult with our expert lawyers at Naqvi Injury Law. Naqvi Injury Law houses the “top one percent” of attorneys recognized by The National Association of Distinguished Council and are utterly committed to helping you get the legal protection that you need and the compensation that you deserve.

Don’t miss your window of opportunity, call us at (702) 919-7543 or contact us on our website for a free consultation.