Most of us will experience a car accident at some point in our lifetime. Unfortunately, some of us will experience serious car accidents that leave us with catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries caused by car accidents can turn an accident survivor’s life completely upside down. A person could be driving to pick up her kids from school, and within a few short seconds, her life could change forever after suffering a catastrophic injury. During the five seconds it takes for another driver to look down and check a text message, a devastating head-on collision can occur. catastrophic injuries can result from all different types of car accidents, including those involving tractor-trailers, buses, and pedestrians. While car accidents can cause many different types of injuries, some injuries are more catastrophic than others.
Our brains are incredibly sensitive to injury, and the amount of force that happens in a car accident can cause brain hemorrhages and swelling. Anytime the brain suffers an injury, it can swell or bleed, damaging healthy brain tissue. When traumatic brain injuries are not treated correctly or in time, they can lead to death. Car accidents can cause catastrophic brain injuries in several different ways. First, the victim’s head can slam into the dashboard, window, or back against the headrest, causing bleeding. In other cases, an object may fly through the air and strike the victim’s head, causing brain damage. Even if neither of these scenarios happens, someone can still experience brain swelling from the force of the impact, causing their brain to slam against their skull.
It is important to have a thorough medical evaluation after being involved in a serious car accident. Brain injuries are notoriously difficult to diagnose, and they can be challenging to treat. In the aftermath of the car accident, you may still be in shock and not feel all of the pain of your injuries. A doctor will evaluate you and determine whether you have any symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, which can help you avoid serious permanent injury. Receiving a thorough examination will also help you prove that the car accident caused your catastrophic brain injury and that your injury is severe.
Internal organ damage is another type of catastrophic injury that can result from car accidents. As with brain injuries, internal organ damage can be life-threatening, but it can be difficult to diagnose immediately after the car accident. Our organs are incredibly sensitive, and the force of the accident can cause a ruptured liver or kidney, or another type of internal bleeding. When internal bleeding goes on for too long, a person can end up developing life-threatening conditions. Victims of a car accident who suffer from catastrophic organ damage often pass away on the way to the hospital. If they survive, they often face multiple surgeries and long hospital stays. When organs become damaged, we can suffer from permanent disability and impairment.
Severe bone fractures are another type of catastrophic injury that can arise from a car accident. When bones are subjected to high impact or stress, they can fracture. Accidents in falls cause most bone fractures, and there are several different types of bone fractures. Compound fractures are the most severe type of fracture, and they cause the bone to puncture the skin. These fractures usually require some type of surgery so the surgeon can clean out the bone material and set the bone correctly.
The victim of a car accident may need screws or metal plates to help join the bone together. Depending on the victim’s health status, bone fractures can take a significant amount of time to heal. Many victims of catastrophic car accidents have multiple broken bones, making it extremely difficult for them to return to work or engage in their day-to-day activities. When a person breaks a hip bone, it can make the recovery process incredibly difficult. Most elderly individuals who break bones have difficulty engaging in their regular activities, especially if they break a hip or leg bone.
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating. Depending on the injury’s location, they can cause a person to experience quadriplegia or paraplegia. The location of the spinal cord injury determines how much paralysis patients may endure. For example, when the spinal cord injury is in the neck area, the victim may experience quadriplegia and be unable to move all four limbs. When the spinal cord injury is lower down the back, the victim may only experience paralysis in his or her legs. Spinal cord injuries can be incredibly painful, and when they are catastrophic, they can change a person’s life forever. One day a person will be driving to work, and the next day he or she will be in surgery for a spinal cord operation after a catastrophic car accident. Permanent paralysis can cost millions of dollars over a person’s lifetime, especially when the accident happens to a younger individual. If you have suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury, pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can help you and your family obtain the financial resources you need to care for yourself for the long term.
When you suffer a catastrophic injury in a car accident, you may have the right to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. At-fault drivers have a legal duty to pay for the injuries they cause other people. Unfortunately, collecting the amount of compensation you deserve from an insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit can be difficult. Insurance companies look to their profit margins instead of ensuring they provide fair compensation for car accident victims. You need a catastrophic injury lawyer fighting in your corner. Contact the Law Office of Michael E. Skiber today to schedule your initial consultation.