Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury case filings in the United States today. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, more than 2.5 million people are hurt in the United States in car accidents every year. Fortunately, personal injury law provides a way for car accident victims to obtain compensation for their injuries. Below are the 10 most common injuries from car accident claims that result in the filing of personal injury lawsuits.
- Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are one of the most common types of injuries due to automobile accidents. While some injuries are not serious, those that are may require extensive surgery and months of rehabilitation.
- Back Injuries
Herniated discs and fractures are common in car accidents. The extent of these injuries can vary depending on the force of impact.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur when someone is involved in a very serious car accident. Once the spinal cord is injured, it cannot repair itself and partial or complete paralysis may occur. The paralysis can be temporary but is all too often permanent. As a result, spinal cord injuries typically result in personal injury lawsuit filings because the victim often can no longer work or need long term care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death in people who are involved in accidents, especially motorcycle crashes. Brain injuries can cause memory loss, lack of motor function, and difficulty handling emotions.
- Severed Limbs
People who experience traumatic injuries that cause severing of limbs such as arms, legs, hands and feet typically file personal injury lawsuits to cover their accident related expenses and medical bills. In some cases, injuries are so severe that limbs must be amputated at a later date to save the life of the victim.
- Crush Injuries
Automobile accidents that occur with a great deal of force can leave victims with crush injuries. These injuries typically require surgery to correct and can lead to the amputation of the affected limb.
- Chest Injuries
Injuries to the chest can lead to rib fractures and internal organ damage. In cases where blunt force trauma occurred, accident victims may suffer a diaphragm rupture which can be life threatening.
- Broken Bones
Broken bones are the most common accident related injury in automobile accidents. While some broken bones heal unassisted, those that are serious can lead to surgery and disability.
- Foot Injuries
Many people suffer injuries to their lower legs and feet during an accident. Some of these injuries require surgery and extensive rehabilitation to get the victim walking again.
- Facial Disfigurement
Facial disfigurement is one of the most difficult injuries to deal with after an accident. Victims are not only in pain, but can suffer a loss of identity that lasts a lifetime. In addition to the physical trauma, a victim of facial disfigurement may suffer from extreme emotional duress due to their injury.
If you have been hurt in an automobile accident due to someone else’s negligence, it may be helpful to speak with a car accident attorney to learn what options you have under the law. Hiring a lawyer can greatly increase your chances of obtaining an adequate settlement for your injuries and accident related expenses.