Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of preventable injuries and deaths in the United States. If you suffered an auto accident injury in a crash for which someone else is at fault, it is important to speak to a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible.
The injuries you sustain in a car accident can range from fairly minor to life-altering. It is often difficult to know how serious an auto accident injury is until you see a doctor. As such, your first step after a car accident is to seek medical attention.
Next, you should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please call The Flood Law Firm at (860) 346-2695 today for a free case review.
Common Injuries in Auto Accidents
If you suffer any injury in a car accident resulting from someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation. Some of the most common types of auto accident injury include:
1. Whiplash and Other Neck Injuries
Whiplash is a hyperextension injury. It occurs when the muscles, ligaments, and discs in the neck are stretched beyond their normal range of motion due to an impact where the head is snapped or “whipped” back and forth. Although whiplash can occur in any type of auto accident, it is most commonly associated with rear-end collisions.
Often, whiplash is considered a “minor” injury that typically resolves on its own. However, severe cases can lead to chronic, long-term problems. Other types of neck injuries in car accidents (such as disc herniation, broken vertebrae, and more) should also be taken seriously.
2. Head, Brain, and Facial Injuries
Injury to the head and face during an auto accident can be caused by everything from flying debris inside the vehicle to impact against an object. Some of these injuries are fairly minor, resulting in cuts and bruises. Other types of head and facial injuries, however, are more serious:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Skull fractures
- Eye injuries
- Broken nose
- Other fractures of bones in the face, such as the cheekbone
- Injury to the teeth, mouth, and/or jaw
Paramedics will perform tests at the scene of the accident to assess you for a TBI and other injuries. You may need to be taken to the hospital immediately if you suffer a head injury and/or facial trauma.
3. Chest Injuries
Injuries to the chest are often overlooked in the aftermath of an auto accident. With seat belts and air bags, many people assume that the chest and abdomen are well-protected in the event of a crash.
Unfortunately, chest injuries can actually occur because of these life-saving devices. An impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, and other parts of the vehicle can also lead to chest injuries such as:
- Broken ribs
- Injury to the sternum
- Punctured lungs
- Damage to the liver, spleen, stomach, and other internal organs
- Bruising of the heart
- Soft tissue injuries in the chest
Trauma to the chest (as well as the emotional stress of the accident) can also lead to a heart attack. It is crucial to take chest pain and other symptoms after a car accident seriously.
4. Back Injuries
Spinal injuries are perhaps the most serious type of back injury in a car accident. Fractures of the spinal vertebrae and/or damage to the spinal cord can be life-altering, potentially leading to paralysis and a host of other serious complications.
Other back injuries typically do not lead to such severe outcomes. However, any injury to the back in a car accident can result in chronic pain, loss of mobility, and more, including:
- Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Herniation of the discs
- Degeneration of the spine
- Nerve damage
5. Injuries to the Extremities
Both the upper extremities (including the shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, and fingers) and lower extremities (including the hips, legs, knees, ankles, feet, and toes) are vulnerable to injury in the event of a car accident. Victims of auto accidents may sustain fractures of bones in the extremities, soft tissue damage, lacerations, and other injuries.
These auto accident injuries can lead to dysfunction of the affected extremity. Loss of function and mobility can be long-term or even permanent. In extreme cases, amputation of a limb or digit may occur through traumatic force or become medically necessary due to the severity of the injury.
6. Burn Injuries
Severe burn injuries in an auto accident may occur through contact with hot metal components of the vehicle or steam from the engine, as well as fires caused by leaking fuel. Severe burns can damage the skin and underlying tissue, resulting in scarring and disfigurement, chronic pain, loss of mobility, and more.
A study in the Journal of Trauma found that nearly one-quarter of burn victims in auto accidents died as a result of their injuries. The most common cause of death among those who suffered burns in auto accidents was inhalation injury (i.e., damage to the airway and lungs as a result of inhaling heated gases).
Auto Accident Injury? The Flood Law Firm Can Help
The Flood Law Firm is unique among other personal injury firms in Connecticut in that we handle all types of injury claims. Many law firms focus exclusively on catastrophic injury cases or they pursue a high volume of so-called “average” cases. In our experience, there is no such thing as an “average” auto accident injury case. We focus on maximizing compensation for our clients based on the severity of their injuries and their current and future damages.
Our Results Speak for Themselves.
Insurance companies know that we never hesitate to take a case to trial if it means achieving a fair result for our clients. This reputation makes insurers more likely to negotiate and agree to higher settlements. It also means that we have the experience to advocate effectively for you in court if it is necessary to go to trial.
For a free consultation, contact The Flood Law Firm today. Our auto accident injury lawyers serve clients in Middletown, Danbury, Waterbury, Bridgeport, and all of Connecticut.
