If you have been in a car accident or know someone who has, you are probably familiar with the range of injuries that a person can sustain in a crash. From minor scrapes to the possibility of death, car accidents are nothing short of serious and every crash should be taken as such.
Whether you are driving the car, a passenger or a pedestrian, the second you hit the road, you run significant risks. Unfortunately, that is the nature of driving today. It is important to be aware of the most serious injuries, though, so you can remain alert and know what to look for if you are injured.
Brain injuries
Probably the most serious of all injuries a person can sustain in a car accident is a brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range in seriousness; however, this organ is so important that even if the injury is mild, the person must remain under the care of a physician to ensure that no lingering effects develop in the months or years after the accident.
Back and back injuries
The neck and back are crucial because an injury to these organs can damage the spinal cord, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
This is a serious injury that can result in persistent pain that is difficult to treat and damage to any organ surrounding the spinal cord.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries are serious and it is critical for a medical practitioner to evaluate a car accident victim for injuries to internal organs.
This also includes internal bleeding, which can be extremely serious if the source of the bleeding is not found and the bleeding is not stopped.
Cuts, burns, lacerations and broken bones
While these injuries sound less severe than the ones above, they are not necessarily so. A broken bone can lead to permanent disability and cuts can go very deep into the body and puncture an essential organ, which can lead to death.
Burns range in severity but are also very common in car accidents and are serious. A burn can lead to physical deformities, permanent pain and even the loss of tissue.
It can harm a person enough to make a part of their body no longer work, which makes them disabled. For this reason, a medical practitioner must evaluate any burns, no matter how minor they may seem at the time.
Emotional trauma
While we typically think of injuries as physical, not all of them are. Car accidents can cause psychological trauma, which sometimes never goes away.
Think of veterans who return from war and suffer from PTSD. Sometimes, victims of severe accidents, especially those who see things that may shock them to an extreme level, can develop PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.
If you are in a car accident, it is critical for you to seek medical attention immediately. If you are able to do so, try to gather evidence of the scene, including the including the names and numbers of everyone involved and witnesses, if there are any, as well as photographic and film evidence of the area, the vehicles, injuries and anything else that you see around you.
After you take care of your physical and emotional health, consider contacting an attorney and giving them the evidence you gathered for them to evaluate the case and let you know if you have a valid claim for compensation. Compensation can help with medical bills, lost wages and the pain and suffering that you experience from the traumatic experience.