3 Common Injuries After a Traffic Accident

In Texas, thousands of drivers and their passengers sustain injuries in auto accidents every year. Many of these accident victims will make a full recovery from their injuries, however, some are left with life-changing injuries that require months or even years of medical treatment. 

There is a wide range of injuries that can occur as a result of a motor vehicle crash, however, some injuries are more common than others. Here, we’ll go over the most common types of auto accident injuries our personal injury attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm encounter every year, and the importance of seeking immediate medical treatment. 

See a Doctor ASAP After a Car Accident

After you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you must seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you feel fine and believe you only sustained minor injuries. Certain auto accident injuries may not present symptoms for several hours after a collision, however, even a minor soft tissue injury or head injury can prove to be fatal. 

At the accident scene, if you don’t want to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance, you can ask a friend or family member to drive you. If you don’t want to see an emergency room doctor or urgent care doctor, you must schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible. 

A physician will examine you and conduct imaging tests to ensure you receive the medical treatment you need. They will also recommend follow up treatment and provide aftercare instructions, which you must follow closely. 

Protecting Your Health and Your Legal Claim 

Seeing a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident not only protects your health but also establishes a connection between your injuries and the auto accident. 

Your medical records can be used as proof of your accident-related injuries, so an insurance company will be unable to deny your claim or argue that your injuries occurred after the accident. 

Common Auto Accident Injuries 

Collisions involve debris, broken glass, twisted metal, sudden movements, and high-impact forces. The injuries sustained in an auto accident often depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash, such as:

• Whether the airbags deployed
• Vehicle speed at the time of the accident 
• How the driver was positioned in their seat
• Where the driver’s vehicle was hit 
• Whether seatbelts were used

There are two types of car accident injuries: penetrating and impact. 

Examples of penetrating injuries include cuts and lacerations, which can be caused by broken glass or unsecured items in the vehicle. 

Impact injuries may occur due to being thrown against the side of the vehicle or hitting one’s head on the steering wheel or seat. 

Below, you’ll find a list of the three most common types of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. 

1. Brain and Head Injuries 

Brain injuries are the most dangerous type of auto accident injury. Some types of head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, can slowly develop over the course of seventy-two hours. These potentially life-threatening injuries can be fatal if accident victims do not seek medical care immediately. 

• Skull fractures are very common after car accidents. When the skull is fractured, one of the bones from the skull has been cracked or broken. In some cases, a piece of the skull will penetrate the brain, causing significant damage. 
• A hematoma is bleeding that occurs under the skull. When left treated, a hematoma can be fatal. 
• Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can occur with a jolt or blow to the head. A concussion can result in vomiting, vertigo, loss of consciousness, confusion, and death if pressure or swelling builds within the skull. 

Always seek immediate medical attention for any type of head injury, regardless of how mild it may seem. 

2. Spine and Back Injuries 

The spine consists of three regions:

Lumbar: The lumbar spine, or lower back, includes some of the strongest muscles in the back, in addition to the five largest vertebrae. Traumatic injuries to this region often cause swelling, pain, and limited movement.

Thoracic Spine: When this region of the back is injured in an auto accident, it can result in serious damage. This area of the spine is linked to the ribs and chest. Nerve damage to this region can cause a permanent disability. 

Cervical: The cervical spine region, or upper back, includes the neck. Neck injuries can impact a person’s ability to breathe or move their arms, due to the nerves in this area of the spinal cord. 

Regardless of what region of the spine is affected, a spinal cord injury can result in paralysis. Accident victims that sustain major spinal cord damage are often faced with steep medical expenses for the rest of their lives. 

3. Broken Bones 

Fractures and broken bones are reported in many motor vehicle crashes. The force involved in an accident is strong enough to easily snap a bone. There are many different types of fractures and broken bones that can be sustained in an auto accident, including:

• Stable 
• Open 
• Transverse 
• Oblique 
• Comminuted 

Certain fractures can require months of treatment, including surgery and physical therapy. 

What to Do After an Injury Accident 

Once you have received medical care, you must contact an accident attorney to help you file a personal injury claim. Insurance claims can be very complex, especially if the accident victim sustained traumatic injuries or an injury that resulted in a permanent disability. 

An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through this complex legal process. 

Your attorney will:  

• File the appropriate paperwork 
• Gather the crucial evidence needed to prove the other driver was negligent and should be held accountable for all accident-related damages. 
• Negotiate with the insurance company and fight for a fair settlement that can cover the cost of all accident-related damages, including past and future medical costs
• Take the burden off your shoulders and allow you to focus on your recovery

Contact the Amaro Law Firm Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

At the Amaro Law Firm, our car accident attorneys will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve to cover the cost of medical treatment, lost wages from work, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and more. You should never have to pay out of pocket for the medical treatment you need due to an accident that was caused by a negligent driver. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation and let the legal team at the Amaro Law Firm help you obtain the compensation you deserve.