In Seattle, and the nation as a whole, car accidents are a leading source of injuries. In fact, car accidents injure millions and kill tens of thousands every year. The economic cost of these many injuries and fatalities may reach nearly $300 billion per year. What are some of the most common injuries that occur during these accidents?
Head injuries are common – and serious. When one vehicle collides with another, the heads of drivers and passengers alike often careen into windows, dashboards and steering wheels. These collisions can produce traumatic brain injuries. Back injuries are also prevalent. They can crop up if the accident hurt a person’s spine. If so, the person can expect lessened sensation and control of their feet, legs, hands, arms and other body parts.
Next is neck injuries, including the most well-known of car-accident injuries: whiplash. Whiplash happens when the head and neck move suddenly. Even when a person escapes whiplash, they often experience generalized neck pain and swelling. The chest is also a common injury point. The chest often experiences significant blunt force trauma during an accident, leading to broken ribs and collapsed lungs. In worse cases, a person may suffer cardiac arrest or internal bleeding.
The various appendages are also common sources of injury, especially for car accidents involving pedestrians or motorcyclists. As the long list of injuries here underscores, a car accident can cause harm in a variety of ways. Some of those injuries can be significant and long-lasting. Individuals living through one of these scenarios may benefit from getting more information about their legal options. Doing so could be an essential first step towards obtaining the compensation they need and deserve to get through a difficult time.
Source: FindLaw, “Types of Car Accident Injuries,” Accessed July 12, 2016