Every day, you wake up, get dressed, and hop in your car to either go to work, run errands, or to see friends and family… you never put getting into a car accident into the equation. It’s not that car accidents could “never happen” to you, but you just simply don’t anticipate car accidents at the start of your day. Unfortunately, car accidents are events that impact the lives of many on a daily basis, and can change your life in the blink of an eye.
The violent force that comes with a car accident leaves you confused as to what just happened and oftentimes leaves you with noticeable injuries as well as symptoms of injuries that you don’t always feel immediately after the accident, also known as delayed. That reason alone is why it’s so important to have a full understanding of what your body can go through physically after a car accident, even if you haven’t been in one.
Knowing and understanding what to do after a car accident and what your body can possibly go through is extremely important. Whether you want to believe it or not, every time you set foot inside your car or someone else’s car, you’re putting your life at risk.
And the thing about the risks is that they can come from anywhere or anything. You’re at risk for the negligence of other drivers and you’re at risk for the potential of faulty parts from the vehicle manufacturer. Everything from faulty breaks and gear shifts to engine issues… Just look at how Volvo had to recall 70,000 cars last year in the UK for the engine intake manifold causing car fires…
That particular situation would be no fault of your own, of course, but it’s a danger that you’re at risk for whenever you get into a car, and the aftermath a car accident takes on your body can do serious harm, and sometimes irreversible damage.
Because the key to identifying traumas associated with car accidents is knowing what your body can expect physically, take a look at some injuries associated with car accidents. Some are visible injuries while others are delayed symptoms of injuries.
Injuries With Car Accidents
Visible Injuries
Burns
Serious burns from a car accident can require treatment in a burn unit. Oftentimes, when people are involved in car accidents and are burned in any facial area, they may have swelling and scarring, and will sometimes need plastic surgery. To undergo trauma like that, the responsible party needs to take full responsibility.
Scrapes and Cuts
Scrapes and cuts can be the result of the impact from your car, the other car, or from loose objects like glass or a cell phone. Wherever the scrapes and cuts come from, they put you at risk for infection when they’re open wounds.
Broken Bones
The human body has 200 bones, and when you’re involved in a car accident, acquiring a few broken bones is likely to happen. It may require physical therapy and other treatments, but if a bone breaks and goes through the skin, you’re going to be at an even higher risk of infection.
Injury to Spinal Cord
Your spinal cord is the very bone that controls your body’s overall movement and sensation… It’s the part of your body that communicates with your brain for your body to function, and when it’s damaged, your mobility is greatly impacted. Some people even experience complete paralysis.
Delayed Symptoms of Injuries
Whiplash
- Stiffness, loss of motion, and pain in your neck
- Feeling of dizziness or vertigo
- Headaches
- Feeling of numbness in your arms
Head Injuries
- Difficulty sleeping
- Concussion
- Confusion
- Brain trauma
Hypovolemic Shock
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling lightheaded
- Changes in skin (cold/pale)
According to mainlinehealth.org, head injuries like concussions as well as other head injuries, may not always show immediate symptoms. Depending on the injury, it can take days before you notice the symptoms of a head injury; this is especially the case for concussions.
So before you decide to not go to the doctor because you think you feel fine, go to the doctor anyway and just pay close attention to how you feel in the forthcoming days after your accident.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation and won’t even collect a fee unless they obtain compensation for your case, so it’s a matter of “why not,” first and foremost. But to add to that, personal injury lawyers are there to protect your best interests.
The aftermath of a car accident can leave you with a loss of income, a lesser quality of life, and lengthy hospital stays, which are equal to expensive medical procedures and bills. All of that can happen in an instant and turn your entire world upside down. The responsible party needs to be held accountable for the damages you suffer.
If you are ever involved in a car accident, you need to do your due diligence to contact a reputable, local firm such as Oregon accident attorney Chad Stavley to protect you during your time of need.
Knowing that your case is being handled by an experienced and qualified attorney will give you the peace of mind you need to put all of your focus on healing and getting better. Your personal injury lawyer will fight for you when you can’t.