Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries can be severe, debilitating and life-changing. Depending on the facts and circumstances of your accident, your injuries can range from sprains and strains to broken bones, or even paralysis. If you have been in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately - some injuries may not be apparent at first, but can cause serious internal damage if left undiagnosed. Others may take days or even weeks to develop. Some common types of car accident injuries include:

Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are among the most common types of car accident injuries. These can include sprains and strains in different parts of the body, whiplash, herniations, bulging discs and damage to muscles, tendons and different parts of the spine. Soft tissue injuries may not develop until weeks after the accident. These types of injuries can cause extreme pain and interfere significantly with daily life. They may require physical therapy, acupuncture, or other pain management treatments.

Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from car accidents are serious and can cause lasting disabilities. They can even be fatal if they go undetected. If you have TBI, you might experience headaches, confusion, nausea, difficulty concentrating, tinnitus, balance problems, severe neurological issues, and other difficulties. Treatment for TBI can include physical, cognitive, occupational, and speech therapies.

Broken Bones & Fractures
The impact of a car accident can cause fractures and broken bones to various parts of the body. These kinds of injuries can include fractures and breaks to the fibula, tibia, patella, hips, ribs, feet, pelvis, collarbone, spine, skull, ankles, jaw, and other bones. Your doctor may recommend X-rays, CT scans or MRIs to determine the injury. Treatment can depend on which body parts were affected and the severity. It may include the use of casts, splints and crutches, physical therapy, medication, and surgery.

Lacerations
Broken glass, exposed pieces of metal and blunt trauma can cause car accident victims to suffer from lacerations and deep cuts. Lacerations may result in tissue tears, disfigurement, nerve damage, and internal injuries. Lacerations and deep cuts may require stitches, antibiotics to prevent infection, and surgery in some cases.

Nerve Damage
Sometimes, injuries from a car crash can cause physical damage that may not be very obvious at first. Damage to nerves can cause radiating pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, sensitivity, and even paralysis. If your doctor suspects you may have neurological issues or nerve damage, he or she may recommend an EMG-NCV test to diagnose.

Emotional Injuries
Physical injuries are not the only type of injuries a car accident victim can face - the emotional distress can be just as severe. Mental injuries as a result of motor vehicle accidents can include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Those suffering these types of car accident injuries may require psychiatric treatment, counseling, or therapy.

Damages for Car Accident Injuries
In New York State, a car accident victim may be able to recover for their damages if they suffered what qualifies as a "serious injury" as defined by New York Insurance Law § 5102(d), or have suffered basic economic loss of more than $50,000.

If you suffered a serious injury as the result of someone else's negligence, you may be able to recover for unreimbursed and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, wrongful death, and in some cases punitive damages.

Contact an Experienced New York Car Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a car accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately who can advise you of your legal rights. An experienced car accident attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, and time lost from work.

The Popick Law Firm has thirty years of experience in obtaining compensation for victims of car accidents. Located in Fresh Meadows, NY, The Popick Law Firm handles personal injury and auto accident cases in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. Contact the Popick Law Firm today for a consultation.