Thousands of auto accidents occur every year in California. These lead to a great number of injuries resulting from car accidents that range from mild like scrapes and cuts to life-threatening ones involving broken bones or head trauma. These injuries can lead to extreme emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our team of expert auto accident attorneys and medical examiners knows that getting injured in a car accident can set you back financially and emotionally because of hefty medical bills, vehicle repairs, and a change in the quality of life. We are here to help.
In this article, we talk about the common car accident injuries people suffer from, and where you can get help to recover your health and losses.
California Car Accident Statistics
A report on car accident statistics by market and consumer data provider Statista in 2020 states that California had around 3,723 motor vehicle accident fatalities, mostly involving passenger cars, light trucks, and motorcycles, a slight uptick from the year prior.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also reported that in 2017, 10,076 people died in California car accidents. This averages to about 28 fatalities each day. The report showed that common causes of these crashes included speeding, drunk driving, drugged driving, and distracted driving.
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, but being aware of common injuries can help you be more prepared in the event that you or a loved one is involved in a car crash.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Over the years, Farahi Law Firm has worked closely with our valued clients to help them recover their health after an accident as well as win for them the maximum compensation possible.
We have identified some of the most common car accident injuries that our clients were diagnosed with. Among them are the following:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) defines a traumatic brain injury as “a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt to the head or violently hitting an object or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.”
Symptoms depend on the severity of the brain damage. The most common are pervasive headaches, nausea, confusion, personality changes, vision and balance problems, and cognitive difficulties.
Low to mild traumatic brain injury cases can be resolved over time, but in more serious cases, disability may be permanent.
Spinal Injuries
A study by the Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons (ACNS) proved what should not come as a surprise — that “the chance of sustaining a serious spine and multiple associated injuries in car accidents is quite high.” This is accurate because our backs are highly susceptible to damage when subjected to forceful impact, as in motor vehicle crashes.
What makes spinal cord injuries even more alarming is the fact that they can possibly trigger associated injuries in different parts of the body, including the head, shoulders, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and upper and lower extremities.
Whiplash
The NHTSA describes whiplash as “an injury to the neck that occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully jerked forward or backward.” The sudden movement over-stretches or tears the tendons and ligaments in your neck beyond their breaking point, resulting in inflammation, pain, stiffness, and sometimes headaches.
According to the NHTSA, about 2 million people in the U.S. suffer from whiplash injuries each year as a result of car accidents.
The common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, as well as headaches. However, some patients may also experience dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and memory changes.
Internal Injuries
Among the most serious and life-threatening car crash injuries are those that involve internal damage.
In milder cases, these may resolve on their own. But in most cases, these can lead to permanent organ damage, even death. Victims of vehicular accidents should immediately submit themselves to emergency care from a medical professional and further post-incident evaluations.
This way, they can get the necessary diagnostic imaging tests that can rule out possible internal bleeding or damage. Internal injuries may physically manifest days following the incident, like soft tissue injuries.
A late diagnosis may be a death sentence if you have internal bleeding, so time is of the essence when it comes to injuries after a vehicular accident. Read this article about some things that you can do if you or a loved one are involved in a car crash.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are another type of common accident injury one may experience. While some broken bones can heal on their own, depending on the severity of the break, some may require surgery and a long healing process.
Some of the more common injuries a car accident victim can sustain are arm fractures, wrist fractures, back fractures, and facial fractures. Healing time may vary depending on the degree of injury, but it is important to see an orthopedic doctor to better assess the possible treatments needed.
Airbag Injuries
Although airbags are put in place to save lives and prevent more severe injuries, airbags can still lead to injuries that disrupt daily life. Eye injuries, internal bleeding, rib fractures, and concussions are some common injuries one might experience from a deployed airbag.
Burns
Burn injuries are common car accident injuries that may not be immediately apparent. However, it is still important for victims to seek medical care as soon as possible to prevent further injury.
There are different types of burns one may experience from a car accident. Chemical burns usually happen when battery acid or another type of corrosive substance comes into contact with the skin.
Electrical burns are usually caused by faulty wiring or exposure to live electrical currents. Thermal burns, on the other hand, are usually caused by contact with open flames or superheated objects and surfaces.
Why You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer After A Car Accident
At Farahi Law Firm we will help you get the medical attention you need after a car crash. Our team of medical examiners will help you uncover the real value of your injuries and protect you from insurance companies and insurance adjusters who will try to cheat you out of fair compensation.
Our experienced car accident attorneys will also help guide you through your car accident claim and ensure that we win you financial compensation for your crash injuries, vehicle damage, and non-economic damages.
If you or a loved one need an experienced car accident attorney that can help you obtain the highest amount in your claim for compensation, contact us today or call (844) 824-2955 for a free consultation.
We work on a No Win-No Fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us a cent until we win your case.
