Common Car Accident Injuries
A car accident injury can happen in a flash but impact your life for months or years to come – sometimes even permanently. Read on to learn about some of the most common car accident injuries that occur in Indiana, and information on how to contact Stein Law for legal representation.
If you are injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to a financial settlement. Although the compensation you receive will not undo the car accident or the injury you suffered, it can help you get your life back on track. Your financial settlement can cover your medical bills, lost wages, disability, and more.
Our personal injury attorneys at Stein Law can help you get the compensation you deserve so you can get on with your life.
What are common injuries from car accidents in Indiana?
Every car accident is different, which is why car accident injuries can vary greatly. The type of impact, the speed of the vehicles before the impact, and even the type of vehicle can all change the outcome.
The type of injury you sustain will depend on the circumstances of your accident. Were you in another automobile? Maybe you were riding a motorcycle or bicycle, or perhaps you were a pedestrian with the right of way. Many factors come into play when it comes to the severity of a car accident injury.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs after receiving a severe blow to the head, typically resulting in damage to the brain tissue. This can happen with impacts to the head in car accidents; even if the impact does not seem severe, brain damage can still occur. The blow can cause brain tissue to tear, bleed, swell, or bruise.
Because the brain has so many important functions, a TBI can have a permanent impact on your cognitive, emotional, or physical health, in large or small ways.
Some patients may suffer from headaches for the rest of their life or have moments of confusion and disorientation. Others may develop sensory issues with light or sound or lose the ability to smell.
Speech problems, mood swings, memory problems, or poor balance can also occur in the aftermath of a TBI. The consequences of the injury depend on the specific parts of the brain that were damaged.
Like any other type of injury, TBIs vary in severity. There are also several different types, including:
- Anoxic injuries — condition where the brain does not receive enough oxygen
- Concussions — minor TBIs caused by an impact to the head
- Contusions — bruising, or mild bleeding, in the brain
- Hemorrhages and hematomas — more extensive bleeding inside of the skull
- Penetrating injuries — when an object pierces the skull and reaches the brain
A TBI can be caused in a vehicle accident by a jolting impact that knocks your head forcefully into another surface — such as the car’s dashboard. TBIs are also common in bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents, which is why it’s so important for bicycle and motorcycle riders to wear helmets and for bike lanes to be respected by other drivers.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can also have significant and sometimes long-term impacts on your health. The spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, motor vehicle accidents and falls are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.
Like a TBI, a spinal cord injury is typically caused by a violent, traumatic impact to the spine. There are two main types of spinal cord injuries:
- An incomplete spinal cord injury is a milder spinal cord injury in which the spinal cord can still transmit some signals between the brain and the body.
- A complete spinal cord injury is typically more severe and means that nerve and motor function is entirely cut off between the brain and some parts of the body.
Some spinal cord injuries may heal over time, but there are often lasting effects. One of the most feared effects is paralysis, which can happen immediately after the accident or may develop over a period of time. Other symptoms may include:
- Numbness or a loss of sensation in hands or feet
- Headaches
- Back or neck pain
- Unnatural positions of the spine or head
- Difficulty walking or breathing
- Changes in sexual function
- Loss of control of bladder or bowels
In addition to spinal injuries caused by another driver, you may develop a spinal injury resulting from a faulty airbag in your vehicle. It may change your ability to work. You may need to seek recovery for lost wages, or you may need compensation for a disability.
Neck Injury
Your neck is a mass of muscles, tendons, and bones that can become strained from something as simple as sleeping in an unusual position, so it’s not surprising that among the most common car and truck accident injuries affect the neck. Most are mild issues, like sprains, strains, stiff muscles, or a pinched nerve. In more severe cases, you may experience a herniated disc or a neck fracture, the latter of which requires immediate medical attention.
Neck injuries are not always apparent right away. Common signs of a neck injury include:
- Headaches and neck pain
- Muscle spasms
- Stiffness in the neck and difficulty turning your head
- Weakness of the arms, legs, or hands
A neck injury can often be treated with physical therapy, injections, pain medications, or even massage. However, your recovery could cause medical bills to pile up, or you may have to take time off work. This is where Stein Law can help you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Our Offices
Floyd County Office
Downtown New Albany
812-948-6000
810 E. Market St.
New Albany, IN 47150
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812-948-6002
1400 Main St. Suite 154
Clarksville, IN 47129
Content Reviewed by:
Amy Wheatley
Attorney
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Burns
Though rare, 5 percent of car fires are caused by collisions. If the accident results in severed cables or anything else that could light sparks, those sparks could reach the gasoline, resulting in a fire.
There are three types of burn injuries:
- First-degree burns. A superficial but painful burn to the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin. The skin will appear somewhat shinier and redder at the site of the burn.
- Second-degree burns. Partial damage to the dermis, or the next deepest layer of the skin. The area will appear blistered and swollen.
- Third-degree burns. This type burns all the way through the epidermis and the dermis. It can even burn bones or tendons, which may be referred to as a fourth-degree burn. This is the most severe type of burn injury, and it can cause significant nerve damage.
Some burn injuries may be treated with topical medications and bandages, but burn treatment sometimes requires more severe measures like skin grafts — moving a patch of skin from one part of the body to another. In some cases, burns can cause permanent disfiguration.
Mental Health Injuries
Car accidents don’t just harm victims physically. They can also have a severe impact on mental health. The American Psychological Association has found that car accidents are among the most common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the United States.
PTSD is a long-term trauma disorder that can last months or years after the trauma. It causes car accident victims a lot of stress, sometimes making it difficult for them to drive again or causing them to relive the accident over and over through flashbacks. Some symptoms include:
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Traumatic flashbacks
- Difficulty concentrating
- Behavioral changes or mood swings
- Depression, acute stress, or anxiety
Car accident victims may need therapy or counseling to help them cope with their post-traumatic stress after an accident. Sometimes, medications are also used.
Injured In a Car Accident? We’ll Fight For Your Right to Full Financial Recovery
Our attorneys at Stein Law are experienced and ready to help you understand your rights after a car accident. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or schedule a consultation.
