Sometimes injuries are obvious; sometimes they’re not. If you are involved in a car accident, be sure to ask yourself if you’ve suffered any of the types of injuries discussed below, and get medical treatment as soon as you think you’ve been injured in any way. Then, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about your options. You may be entitled to significant compensation for injuries, medical expenses and more.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Even if a car accident seems relatively minor, soft tissue injuries can occur. These types of injuries can have a significant effect on your enjoyment of life, as well as your ability to work and care for your family. Soft tissue injuries include neck and back injuries, bruising and contusions, and whiplash. While most bruises and contusions will heal in due time without extensive medical treatment, whiplash and neck and back injuries often take much longer to heal. In many cases, crash victims find it difficult or even impossible to work while suffering from injuries to the neck and back.
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding and broken bones are unfortunately common in serious car accidents. These types of internal injuries require immediate medical attention. Injuries that involve internal bleeding can be life-threatening, and broken bones may need to be set or require surgery very soon after the accident for the bone to heal properly.
Head Injuries
Head injuries range in severity, but every head injury should be taken seriously. If you hit your head in a car accident, there is a risk of concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). A concussion may cause you to have memory problems or to feel like your brain isn’t working as quickly as it normally does. Headaches and dizziness are also common after a concussion. A concussion that is left untreated or otherwise ignored could lead to more serious brain damage.
Traumatic brain injuries can have lifelong effects. In general, a TBI could change how your brain functions, including how it processes information and emotions. Many car accident victims recover from brain injuries, but the recovery process will depend on the severity of the injury. In other cases, TBI patients require lifelong therapy and medical care.
Mental Injuries
Car crashes and their aftermath can be traumatic, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is increasingly recognized as an effect of car accidents. Crash victims who suffer from PTSD may have trouble sleeping and may be afraid to drive or even get inside a car again. People suffering from crash-related PTSD may also experience anxiety triggered by particular images or sounds that are associated with the crash.
Know Your Options
Car accidents bring unwanted trouble and complications into the lives of crash victims. To learn more about alleviating the burdens caused by a car accident, do not hesitate to speak with an attorney who knows injury law. For answers to common questions about car accidents in Georgia, please see our Car Accident FAQ. Our firm handles all types of car accident cases.