The Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries You Should Know About
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2021 saw over 40,000 fatal motor vehicle crashes. The numbers have risen over the decades.
It is necessary to understand car accidents, their causes, the most common car crash injuries, and the need to involve a personal injury lawyer right away.
Read this guide to learn more.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents are caused by various factors, but some are more common than others. Here are a few of them:
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of car accidents in the US, and it can take many forms. According to the CDC, around nine people are killed every day due to distracted drivers, and 3000 people a year share the same fate. Distracted driving includes doing anything that takes your attention away from the road, including texting and calling on your phone, eating, drinking, or even daydreaming.
Drunk driving
Alcohol impairs your judgment, reaction time, and coordination, making it extremely dangerous for one to be behind the wheel. About 30 percent of car crashes in the US involve drunk drivers, and every 45 minutes, one person dies due to impaired driving. All these lives are lost due to drunk driving, a completely avoidable cause of car accidents.
Speeding
Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents. In 2020, around 308,013 people were injured in the US in speeding-related crashes. Speeding may be thrilling, but it increases your chances of losing control of the vehicle and decreases the reaction time that’s needed to avoid hazards on the road.
Poor weather conditions
Weather conditions like rain, snow, and ice also lead to, on average, 418,000 car accidents every year. Poor weather makes driving more difficult, so slow down and allow for extra stopping distance, and make use of your car’s headlights to improve visibility.
Running red lights or stop signs
Running red lights and stop signs leads to at least a thousand crash injuries every day in the US. While it might be tempting to run a red light, it’s certainly not worth the risk and can be deadly.
Fatigue and Drowsiness
Driving while you’re tired and sleepy is as dangerous as driving under influence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists 100,000 drowsy-driving crashes and 50,000 injuries related to them. So, if you’re feeling drowsy and tired, pull over and take a break.
Aggressive driving
Aggressive driving by going in and out of lanes, tailgating, and failing to signal all lead to serious accidents that can prove to be very fatal. So, stay focused and drive carefully.
Poorly maintained vehicles
Your car maintenance is important. Each year, 35 percent of accidents are caused by poorly maintained vehicles. Make sure to regularly inspect and service your vehicle, including your tires, and address any issues as they arise.
Poor road conditions
Bad roads lead to car accidents. When you’re driving, keep an eye out for hazards and drive cautiously.
Wildlife
An estimated 2 million crashes occur between vehicles and large animals such as deer. As rare as it seems, hitting a large animal can cause serious damage to your vehicle and lead to fatal accidents and extensive injuries. Whenever you’re driving, stay alert and be prepared to brake if you see an animal on the road.
Types of Car Crash Injuries You Should Know About
Car crashes can result in a number of injuries and fatalities. Here are a few of them you should know about:
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common injury that occurs during collisions where there’s an unexpected impact to the head, causing it to forcefully and suddenly move forward and then backward. It causes pain and stiffness in the neck, as well as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and even permanent ligament injuries or spinal injuries.
Fractures
Fractures are seen in serious, sudden impact accidents where the forceful impact distorts the car, parts of which can crush your arms, legs, ribs, or other parts of the body. If you’ve faced such a car injury, you need to seek immediate medical attention. A fracture, if left untreated, can cause functional issues and a lifetime of discomfort. Victims with fractured limbs in an accident should not be moved. Always let emergency services take care of them.
Lacerations
Lacerations or cuts are a common result of car injuries. These can be caused by shattered glass, sharp metals, and other debris or sharp edges of the vehicle. Injuries such as these minor cuts to something more serious and deeper that require stitches. Lacerations require immediate medical attention, but they’re likely to heal. Often, they’ll leave behind scars that’ll remind one of the accident.
Internal injuries and bleeding
The force of a car accident can cause internal injuries, such as damage to organs, broken bones, or bleeding in the abdomen. Internal injuries are not immediately apparent but, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening conditions. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident, let them get checked by a medical practitioner.
Back and Spinal cord injuries.
In a car accident, the spine and the back can be damaged by the force of the impact, leading to paralysis or other serious complications such as herniated or ruptured disks and extensive nerve damage. Such injuries cause long-term issues with overall health, breathing, and mobility, which makes getting a health check after a vehicle accident necessary.
Brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a common result of car accidents. These injuries can range from mild concussions to more severe brain damage and can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, dizziness, confusion, moodiness, and difficulty with memory and concentration.
Burn injuries
Burns are caused by flammable materials in the car or when they come in contact with hot metal or other surfaces. Burn injuries can happen anywhere on the body, and they can be painful and require extensive treatment.
Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, can occur during the accident when the body gets the impact force. These injuries affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, can be painful, and lead to permanent impairments.
Loss of limbs
If the car accident is catastrophic, it could lead to severely damaged limbs that may need to be amputated. This permanent and life-alternating change impacts the victim’s life completely. They’ll need extensive rehabilitation after getting a prosthetic and learning to live life in a new way.
Psychological injuries
Car accidents impact us mentally and emotionally as well. Many psychological injuries can occur after a crash and will require treatment or therapy.
A few of them are:
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Phobias
● Memory loss
Wrongful death
In the worst-case scenario, car accidents can result in wrongful death, where the victim dies due to the negligence or wrongdoing of someone else. This can be a devastating time for the victim’s family, who will have to deal with the loss of their loved one and face the financial burden that comes with it.
In such a case, you need to hire the help of a professional wrongful death attorney to get compensation for the loss you’ve suffered.
Getting Compensation for Car Accident Injuries
Being a victim in a car accident injury comes with hefty costs. That is why you need to hire a personal injury lawyer who can help you gain the compensation you deserve for the loss you have encountered due to someone else’s fault or negligence.
The damages and expenses of being a car accident victim
The amount of compensation you get depends on the injuries you’ve incurred. If someone else causes a car crash and you suffer injuries, you can get compensation for the following:
● Medical bills
● Lost wages
● Emotional and physical pain
● Property damage
● Scarring or permanent impairment
If you’ve sustained lifelong injuries, you need to calculate the payment you should receive for the damages you’ve already suffered and the loss you’ll incur in the future due to them.
How To Get Compensated for Car Accident Injuries
Your compensation will be dependent on your losses, but there are a few more factors that can affect the amount you’ll receive. These include:
Being responsible for your injuries
If you’re found to share the blame in a car accident, your compensation will be reduced according to state rules.
The strength of your case
The compensation you receive heavily depends on how strong your case is. If you have strong evidence to support your claim, the insurance company for the other driver is more likely to offer you a fair settlement package,or you will be awarded a larger amount of compensation in court. The better the evidence you have, the higher your chances of having a favorable outcome. It is critically important to a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case and help you present the strongest case possible under the circumstances.
What Is the Process of Getting Compensation for Car Accident Injuries?
Filing a claim with the insurance company for compensation for your injuries and monetary loss is usually the first step to resolving a personal injury case If you are unable to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you can file a case in court.
Deciding on a settlement or going to court
When seeking compensation for your injuries, you can either accept the offer made by the at-fault driver’s insurance company or you can go to court and aim to get a more significant compensation. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and just because you go to court doesn’t mean that you will automatically get more money for your injuries.
Always consult with an experienced accident injury attorney who will determine the potential value of your specific case and help you with deciding the best course of action for your claim. Whichever way you choose to go, there are a few essential things to keep in mind:
Understand the statute of limitations
The statute of limitations is a legal term that tells you how long you have before you must file a lawsuit against a negligent driver when you are injured. It varies by state but is usually between two and four years. However, some claims may have shorter or longer statutes of limitation depending on the facts. If you do not file a lawsuit or resolve your claim within the time period specified in the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to claim compensation forever, so it is critical that you consult a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to make sure that your claims are preserved.
Starting the process of filing a lawsuit or a claim
It is essential to notify the other driver’s insurance company as well as your own insurance company as soon as possible after a car accident. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the other party, you’ll need to file a civil lawsuit within the statute of limitation. To proceed with it, you’ll need to prove that the other driver was at fault and the injuries you’ve suffered due to their negligence. An experienced personal injury attorney can
help you present documentation of your damages and negotiate a settlement, and pursue a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary, so you can focus on healing and other things.
The resolution and compensation
There are generally two ways car accident claims are resolved:
1. A settlement
With a settlement agreement, the at-fault driver’s insurance company admits liability and agrees to negotiate the compensation. You can agree to accept what they’re offering while giving up any claims about the accidents in the future.
2. Going to court
If the settlement is not reached, the case can be filed as a lawsuit and heard in a court, where a judge or jury will decide whether the other driver is liable and, if so, what compensation you should be awarded. Keep in mind that many cases settle even after a lawsuit is filed, so just because you file a lawsuit doesn’t mean your claim will necessarily be heard before a judge or jury.
Hire Personal Injury Lawyers From the Bourassa Law Group Today
If you’ve sustained car crash injuries, you should not wait. Get prompt medical treatment for your injuries, and call The Bourassa Law Group and let their team of expert personal injury lawyers help you receive the compensation you deserve for having suffered pain, costly medical bills, and property damage.
The law firm also provides cost-effective legal solutions in various fields, such as estate planning, personal injuries, pedestrian accidents, asset protection, and other areas.
Reach out today for a free consultation.