Automotive accidents are a leading cause of serious unintentional injuries and hospitalizations in New York. The forces involved in a car accident can harm various parts of the body. It is important to always see a doctor after a car accident, even if you feel fine initially. You may have serious injuries with hidden or delayed symptoms.
Bone Fractures
Any bone in the body that suffers too much force in a car accident can fracture, crack or break. Common areas for broken bones in car accident victims are the arms, legs, collarbone, ribs and skull. The type of break, such as a simple vs. compound broken bone, can determine the impact on the victim, including recovery time and prognosis.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
The soft tissues of the body, including the tendons, ligaments and muscles, can suffer damage from being stretched or torn in an auto accident. One of the most common examples is whiplash, a neck injury that can come from the head and neck “whipping” back and forth in a crash, such as a rear-end collision.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord can sustain injuries such as vertebral fractures, compression and disk herniation due to the forces of a car accident. Blunt-force trauma or penetrating injuries to the spine can lead to severe nerve damage and paralysis, where the victim loses feeling and function below the point of injury. Paralysis is often irreversible, although with treatments, victims may restore some sensation or movement.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If anything strikes a victim’s head or skull in a car accident, the force of the impact can be enough to cause a traumatic brain injury. Examples include concussions, contusions, bleeding or hemorrhage, bruising, swelling, diffuse-axonal injuries, and coup-contrecoup brain injuries. Penetrating injuries due to flying objects or shrapnel can also cause serious brain damage.
Internal Injuries
Various internal organs can sustain injury due to the forces of a car accident, including the pressure of a seat belt against the victim’s abdomen. Examples include damage to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs and kidneys. Damage to the organs or blood vessels can result in dangerous internal bleeding, which may not be discovered right away without prompt medical care.
Losses of Limb
Serious motor vehicle accidents can lead to lost limbs, including both traumatic and medically necessary amputations. In a particularly severe crash, such as a vehicle rollover or head-on collision, the force of the impact may sever a body part. In other cases, injuries or subsequent infections may be too severe to save the limb.
Scarring or Disfigurement
Severe injuries from a car accident can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement, which may affect the victim physically, mentally and emotionally. Bad lacerations, road rash or burn injuries, for example, can lead to significant physical scarring. Irreversible scars or disfigurement can contribute to a victim’s emotional distress, self-esteem issues, anxiety and depression after a traumatic auto accident.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
If you or a loved one suffers an injury in a car accident in New York, it is important to discuss your legal rights with an experienced Forest Hills personal injury attorney. An attorney can review your situation, offer legal advice regarding the value of your claim and tell you what steps to take to maximize your financial recovery. A lawyer can also connect you to the right doctors in your neighborhood to help ensure optimal recovery.