Car accidents are among the leading causes of catastrophic injury and death. In Texas, whether the car crash happens at a busy crossroads in Dallas, on a freeway outside of Houston, or on a country road near Guthrie, all have one thing in common: for the victims and their survivors, life will never be the same. All too often, these accidents were caused by negligence.
Injuries in car accidents vary from minor cuts to severe limb loss or even death. The severity of the injuries you can get from a car crash is affected by several factors, including the car’s speed, whether or not you had safety measures in place, and what kind of car you were driving. Accidents can result in injuries, stress, and elevated anxiety levels, and they can also leave you unable to work and facing a future of medical expenses.
What Are Common Injuries in a Car Accident?
Accident victims may not always notice their injuries, even serious ones. Even if you don’t think you’re hurt badly, you should immediately get examined at a hospital. Your doctor may order tests like an MRI, CT scan, blood work, or ultrasonography to get a full picture of the injuries. The Texas Department of Transportation classifies the following injuries sustained in car accidents:
Back Injuries
Automobile accidents are a leading source of back injuries due to the forceful impact the human body must absorb. The symptoms of back injuries from a vehicle accident may not appear for weeks or months after the incident, so it’s crucial to be checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after being in an accident.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Victims often incur serious head trauma in vehicle accidents. Depending on how severely a person is injured, TBI may cause problems like:
- Memory loss
- Trouble communicating
- Inability to move about
- Sometimes death
Facial Injuries and Scars
Broken glass or hit with a hard steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, airbag, side window, or vehicle seat may all cause serious facial injuries in automobile crashes. Facial disfigurement may need surgery to rectify, and even then, the scarring may be permanent.
Fractures and Broken Bones
In some cases, car accidents may cause fractured bones, especially in the arms, hands, ankles, and ribs. Most fractures heal with medical treatment, while some serious breaks require surgery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury is among the most devastating possible outcomes of a vehicle crash. A serious injury to the spinal cord might cause permanent paralysis.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Injury to the neck’s tendons and ligaments is collectively known as whiplash. It is a painful condition caused by the back-and-forth motion of the head that occurs after an automobile wreck.
Amputation
In a collision, limbs may be severed or injured to the point that they must be amputated surgically. The repercussions of this kind of damage may be devastating, and the person may be left unable to work for the rest of their life.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Damage to the body’s connective tissue is a soft tissue injury (muscles, ligaments, and tendons). It is the most frequent injury sustained inautomobile collisions. There is a wide range of possible soft tissue injuries.
Injury to the Shoulder
Bracing oneself in a car collision by pressing one’s hands against the dashboard or steering wheel might lead to shoulder injuries due to force absorption. When the shoulder becomes immobile, the force of the contact is magnified, causing damage.
Impairments to the Hands and Wrists
Breaks in the distal radius (sprained or fractured wrists) are frequent injuries from vehicle accident victims. Depending on the degree of the fracture, surgical intervention may be necessary for this kind of injury.
Wounds
Lacerations may be caused by sharp things such as glass, metal, or flying debris. Bruises occur when the body collides with or is impacted by an external item. Frictional abrasion from pulling or sliding on asphalt or concrete is known as “road rash.”
Compression Fractures
Crush injuries occur to any body area wedged between two solid objects. Damage to tissue, organs, muscles, and bones may range from mild to severe.
Burns
A burn injury may occur if the crash victim comes in contact with hot surfaces or liquids, such as in the case of a gas tank fire. Third-degree burn victims may need skin grafting and other surgical procedures.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Automobile crashes have far-reaching impacts beyond the physical. People in vehicle accidents may have trouble driving because of post-traumatic stress disorder. Consult a lawyer about your legal rights if you’ve had PTSD after a vehicle accident.
These are some of the most typical injuries in a car crash. Hundreds of other potential injuries may qualify for financial compensation. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Texas to know your legal rights. Discuss your case and claim the compensation.
Potential Compensation for Injuries in a Car Wreck
You have a right to financial compensation after an automobile accident. Lawyers specializing in car accidents in Texas can assist you in filing a lawsuit. Texas law allows anyone who has been injured in an automobile accident to seek compensation for the following losses:
- Loss of wage
- Cost of medical care
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium
Injuries caused by another driver’s carelessness may be compensated for via legal action. While every auto accident is unique, certain injuries are more common than others, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
An attorney at the Buzbee Law Firm can review your case and suggest damages you can claim compensation for. Contact our attorney to know if you can claim damage for your injuries from a car wreck.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a vehicle accident, a personal injury lawsuit may help you claim the financial compensation you deserve. Recovering damages without the help of a Texas personal injury attorney may be challenging.
The lawyers at The Buzbee Law Firm represent clients injured in accidents across the state of Texas. You have our word that we will defend your interests in every possible way. We will handle everything from legal assistance to filing a claim for injuries you can get compensation for in a car crash.
