A motor vehicle accident can be a life-changing event and can leave a Georgia resident with long-term health problems. For those who suffer injuries in car accidents, getting back on their feet can be a difficult process. Many car accident victims have to take time away from work and may have to spend time in hospitals in order to begin their healing processes.
While some car accident injuries, such as bumps and bruises, may heal on their own and in time, others are more serious and can require significant medical intervention. Readers are advised that this post does not offer any medical or legal guidance, and all vehicle accident victims should seek their own legal advice to gauge their options for seeking the recovery of their damages. The following injuries are some of the possible serious forms of harm that victims can suffer when they are involved in motor vehicle accidents.
1. Head and brain
Trauma to the head can be very serious and can result in injuries to the brain. A traumatic brain injury can happen from an impact injury, such as when the head hits a hard surface, or a penetration injury, such as when an object enters the brain through the skull. When they brain suffers injury, it can affect many other parts of the body and important functions of the entire physical system.
Concussions are a form of brain injury, but the severity and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can be much more serious. For some, a brain injury may result in changes to their emotions, memories, coordination, and pain tolerance. For others, serious brain injuries can result in long-term swelling and coma.
2. Neck
Strain is a major injury that car accident victims suffer, and particular strain in the neck. That is because during a collision a victim’s head may be thrown forward and backward due to the forces of the impact. This can place a lot of stress on the muscles and connective tissue of the neck.
Whiplash is a common car accident injury that is often associated with rear-end collision. It is important that victims discuss their pain with doctors so that they can receive the proper treatment for the trauma that their bodies have suffered.
3. Broken bones
A car accident can cause a victim to suffer broken bones throughout the body. Even wearing a seatbelt can cause a victim to suffer trauma to their ribs. Any broken body sustained in a car accident should be assessed and treated as soon as possible after a crash.
4. Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a group of nerves that run through the spinal column from the brain to and through the back body of a human. When the spinal cord is damaged or severed, a person can suffer losses in motor function in the parts of the body below the site of their injury. Paralysis is a possible permanent side effect of trauma to the spinal cord.
5. Internal injuries and bleeding
The impact of a car accident can be violent and can cause deep internal harm to a victim. Even if a victim appears unscathed on the surface, their body may have suffered serious trauma that is hidden beneath their skin. An evaluation by a medical processional after an accident is important to rule out any hidden internal injuries.
Car accidents happen all the time, but the consequences of accidents can be uniquely painful to victims. Legal help is an option for everyone unsure of what to do after suffering losses in a motor vehicle accident. Personal injury attorneys can counsel their clients on the best steps they can take to protect their legal rights.