As traumatic events, car accidents leave many occupants with substantial injuries. The violent nature of many car accidents causes people to slam into each other or smash their heads against the inside of the windows. Call Michael J. Lichner today to discuss your car crash injury. Our Joliet, IL car accident lawyer is standing by to assist in any way.
8 Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Joliet, Illinois
Are you curious about the different types of injuries from car accidents? Here are eight of the most common.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are common because the head is not restrained by a seat belt. Instead, it can whip around, which ends up damaging the brain. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Cracked skull
- Concussion
- Hematoma
- Brain bleeding
Go to the hospital after an accident to be checked for a head injury. A doctor can ask questions to help diagnose a possible concussion. And pay particular attention to any “thunderclap headache,” which is a sign that you are facing a life-threatening condition.
Neck Injuries
The ligaments and muscles in the neck can get stretched while decelerating the head. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from car accidents. A motorist will notice classic symptoms of a soft tissue injury in the neck, such as swelling and pain. You might also experience ringing in the ears, confusion, or blurred vision.
Other neck injuries are more serious than whiplash. The collision could push one of the vertebrae in the neck out of alignment, pinching nerves and compressing the spinal cord. This is a possibly life-threatening injury, and you should go to the hospital immediately if you feel intense neck pain or experience trouble moving your limbs.
Fractures
Almost any bone in the body could break in a car accident, but some of the most common include:
- Arms. You can break your arm while trying to stop your forward movement.
- Hands and fingers. Even if an airbag deploys, it could have so much force that it fractures your hand or a finger.
- Facial. Bones in the face can break, including bones around the eye. Complications include vision loss.
- Ribs. Any rib fracture could have serious side effects, including pneumonia.
- Hips. A hip fracture is very serious. The bones can tear at nerves and veins, leading to substantial bleeding and possible bone death.
- Pelvis. Pelvic fractures are complicated to treat, making it hard for a person to sit down.
Pain is often the first sign that a bone is broken. A doctor will need to set the bone to help it heal. More severe fractures might require the insertion of a pin or plate to hold pieces of bone together until they fuse.
Burns
A motorist can suffer a burn when their vehicle’s fuel line ruptures. A fire will spread quickly in an enclosed space like the inside of a car.
Burn severity will depend on the depth, with second- and third-degree burns often requiring skin grafts to close a wound. A fourth-degree burn will likely lead to amputation of the affected limb.
Burns have many common side effects, including a heightened risk of infection. Once healed, a burn can leave disfiguring scars that might cause mental trauma or embarrassment.
Herniated or Bulging Disc
These discs play a vital role in spinal column health. They cushion the vertebrae, which allows a person to twist or bend their back. A violent accident can tear or push one of these discs out of alignment. Intense pain occurs whenever a person tries to move their body.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. Some patients will need spinal fusion surgery, while others can get by with an artificial disc or possibly only conservative treatment.
Spinal Column Injuries
The column is made up of 33 vertebrae that protect the spinal cord. This is a complicated part of the body, and the violent impact from a car wreck can cause the following injuries:
- Spondylosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Cracked vertebrae
- Displaced vertebrae
Spinal column injuries often cause intense pain, especially if nerve roots are compressed. Tiny bone fragments might nick or cut the spinal cord, leading to even more serious injuries.
Spinal Cord Injury
Any injury to the vertebrae might end up damaging the cord, which runs through the canal. This cord is vital to sensation and movement, connecting the brain to distant limbs. Compression, cuts, or bruises can impair how a person feels and moves.
Spinal cord injuries vary in severity. A bruise on one side might result in impaired sensation, which slowly improves over time. Conversely, a complete spinal cord injury can leave the motorist permanently paralyzed from the site of injury down. Someone who is paralyzed in all four limbs is a quadriplegic.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
We cannot overlook mental injuries from car accidents. Studies show that about 1 in 4 car accident survivors will suffer from symptoms of PTSD.
This is a tough disorder to diagnose. Too many people do not take mental health injuries seriously, so they fear asking for help. But specific symptoms, like intrusive thoughts or avoidance, can make returning to daily life impossible. Treatment includes behavior or cognitive therapy and prescription medication.
How to Receive Compensation for a Car Accident Injury
To win a personal injury case, it is vital to get medical care at the emergency room or by visiting a doctor. A doctor’s notes and any imaging tests will help establish the severity of your injuries.
Also, reach out to an attorney in the 60431 zip code. Our firm can provide the legal help you need to make a claim. We have helped those suffering from the most common injuries from car accidents in Illinois. Our firm never charges a fee unless we win your case.
Call Our Will County Car Accident Lawyer for Assistance
Car accidents are more expensive than people are prepared for. Expenses include medical care and rehabilitation for serious injuries like those listed above. Reach out to Michael J. Lichner to discuss your car crash injury. Our firm has negotiated settlements with many insurance companies, and we know what evidence is effective. You can schedule a free consultation by phone or contact us online.