The Most Common Car Accident Injury Claims
Car accidents can cause injuries to any part of your body. Usually, the severity and extent of the injuries will depend on crash type and the force of impact. Major accidents usually cause major injuries, but we often read of crashes in which cars are totaled but drivers and passengers are apparently unharmed.
Minor car accidents often appear to result in little or no injury but, in fact, may actually cause injuries that leave victims with a lifetime of major problems. In either case, certain types of injuries are more commonly cited in personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims.
Brain and Head Injuries
Drivers and passengers in automobile accidents can commonly suffer brain injuries ranging from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Most TBIs cause unconsciousness and are diagnosed in an emergency room. However, in the excitement and confusion surrounding a traffic accident, mild concussions may go unnoticed by the victim.
To the victim, or an observer, even brief unconsciousness or a dazed, stunned or confused state is an early indication. Additionally, sensitivity to light or noise, loss of balance, nausea and vomiting at the scene – or even the next day – are symptomatic.
Neck and Back Musculature Injuries – Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons
Neck and back injuries often involve sprains – physical tears – or strains – stretching – of the musculature attached to the spinal cord. These injuries can cause swelling, bruising and tenderness that limit movement and the performance of daily activities. Whiplash is the common name given to this neck trauma caused by the sudden forward or sideways movement of the neck.
Similar damage to the musculature of the middle and lower back can result from sudden twisting. These injuries may be immediately evident or appear after a day or two. In most cases, painkillers are prescribed for immediate relief. Physical therapy, chiropractic treatment and massage are necessary for longer-term improvement.
Neck and Back Nerve Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result from disk injuries. Serious neck and back injuries can involve herniated or bulging discs occurring in the neck, middle back or lower back within their respective cervical, thoracic or lumbar vertebrae.
A herniated, or “slipped,” disk is a common car injuries that occurs when the “cushioning” disk between spinal vertebrae moves out of place and impinges on the spinal root nerves extending into the body. Damage to a spinal disc resulting in formation of a protrusion to the side or back of the spinal cord is referred to as a bulging disc. These injuries commonly occur in high-speed crashes.
Pain from disc injuries in the cervical vertebrae can extend to the arm and fingers. However, the most serious injuries often affect the thoracic spine whose spinal roots extend to the ribs and chest region. Besides the peripheral pain from nerve damage, the functioning of internal organs may be affected. Injuries in lumbar or lower back region often result in peripheral pain extending to the legs and feet. A herniated or bulging disc usually requires extensive long-term treatment, including surgery
Other Common Injuries
Shoulder injuries commonly result from side-impact collisions. A tear may occur between the muscles and tendons joining the upper half of the joint or rotator cuff causing a serious, painful and debilitating injury. During front-end collisions, a steering wheel can land with major force on the driver’s legs. Additionally, the dashboard can collapse onto the passenger’s legs resulting in injuries to the knee, hip and thigh.
Peter is a writer that was recently rear-ended by a driver who tried to make false injury claims. Thanks to this car accident lawyer in Elmhurst, Peter got out of the situation.