Each year, more than 2.5 million people experience catastrophic injuries from car accidents. Those who survive are often left with permanent disabilities, unable to perform routine tasks. These injuries can be emotionally and financially devastating for a family that may have relied on the individual as the breadwinner. Our car accident lawyers are experienced with the common catastrophic injuries from car accidents and the forms of damages that may be available to you.
Traumatic Brain Injuries After Car Accidents
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when a person experiences a strike or blow to the head. The impact can disrupt brain function, resulting in neurological deficits. Common symptoms of a TBI include dizziness, vomiting, headaches, confusion, and visual disturbances. Most TBIs that occur in car accidents are caused by closed brain injuries.
In a closed brain injury, damage occurs when nerve fibers in the brain bruise and tear upon impact with the bony skull. In a crash, this can occur if your head hits the dashboard or any hard surface inside the vehicle. Even though nothing has penetrated the skull, it is still important to seek medical intervention.
Spinal Cord Injuries from Motor Vehicle Crashes
The spinal cord is a tubelike structure composed of nervous tissue that runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The spinal cord transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body. It acts as the body’s gatekeeper, deciding which pain signals reach the brain. Damage to any portion of the spinal cord can impact a person’s ability to feel sensation or move below the site of injury.
A spinal cord injury can occur in a variety of ways in a motor vehicle crash, often through the sudden impact, causing a twisting or compressing of the spine. Receiving immediate medical attention following a spinal cord injury can help prevent further complications.
Crush Injuries in Serious Car Accidents
Following an accident, prolonged pressure on a body part or limb can prevent blood from flowing to muscles and vital organs. This may occur if a person is pinned under a vehicle in a rollover accident or is trapped between two structures. Once the pressure is relieved, toxins may be released back into the bloodstream, causing kidney or heart failure. Symptoms of a crush injury include numbness or tingling, extreme pain, discoloration, trouble breathing, and bruising.
Severe Fractures Caused by High-Impact Collisions
Broken bones, or fractures, are common in motor vehicle accidents. High-speed accidents can lead to complex fractures, requiring plates and rods to stabilize the bone. Facial bones may be broken due to the rapid deployment of the airbag, even causing a broken jaw. Among the most serious fractures, a pelvic fracture may require surgery if the break is severe or unstable (two or more breaks).
If you are experiencing severe pain while walking, numbness in the groin area or legs, or pain in your hip or lower back, you should be evaluated by a medical professional. While not all fractures are considered catastrophic injuries, those with a long recovery period or that impact a person’s quality of life meet the criteria.
Traumatic Amputations Resulting from Car Accidents
A high-impact crash can result in a severed limb or digit. Known as a traumatic amputation, the loss of a limb can instantly change an individual’s life, forcing them to give up their independence. Individuals often require prosthetic or other medical devices, resulting in thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
Compensation Available for Catastrophic Car Accident Injuries
Given the gravity of these injuries, a car accident attorney may be able to help you recoup the following:
- Lost wages
- Ambulatory service
- Emergency room care
- Medical imaging and laboratory testing
- Surgeries and procedures
- Physical therapy
- Home modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A car accident lawyer can guide you in exploring what damages you are eligible to recoup. If you are interested in learning more about the compensation options available to you, do not hesitate to contact our Harrisburg office.
Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
A car accident can leave you with debilitating injuries, preventing you from doing the things you love. Thankfully, our car accident lawyers are eager to help you pursue just compensation. To learn what we can do for you, do not hesitate to contact Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, today. Our Harrisburg office can be reached online or by calling (717) 229-6580. We offer free initial consultations.