Car accidents wreak havoc on the lives of thousands of people every year. While property damage is common, most people are focused on the serious injuries that occur as a result of the accidents. In 2012, over 5.6 million car accidents were reported nationwide. A total of over 30,000 of these accidents were fatal, while 1.6 million of them involved a variety of injuries.
The most serious car accident injuries typically involve the victim’s head or back. Spinal cord injuries can result in significant nerve damage. This leaves accident victims with limited control over their appendages and can result in paralysis. Herniated disk injuries are less severe than spinal damage, but can cause numbness, muscle weakness and pain in the arms and legs. Head injuries are also fairly common and vary in severity depending on the specifics of the accident. While some victims can walk away from an accident with a mild concussion, some are faced with traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBIs. The treatment for a brain injury can require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. The victim may experience cognitive difficulties, hearing loss, vision problems and other ailments.
Many accident victims suffer from whiplash, which is caused by sudden movement of the head and neck. Blunt force trauma may result in broken ribs, collapsed lungs and chest pain. Damage to the internal organs and internal bleeding in the chest can also occur. Injuries to the victims’ legs, arms, feet and hands are also common. Victims are known to suffer from severe bruising, broken bones, ligament damage and even severed limbs.
Aside from physical injury, many accident victims suffer from mental and emotional injury. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other psychological conditions are common after such a traumatic event. Whether the injuries are mental or physical, or both, Louisiana accident victims who file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for the accident may be able to recover damages that will help them financially.
Source: FindLaw, “Types of Car Accident Injuries,” accessed on Oct. 26, 2015