Car accidents, whether minor or severe, often cause injuries. Some of the most common injuries are also the most expensive. Sometimes, they’re also easily missed. In the rush of adrenaline after being in an accident, you may not immediately notice the pain or other signs of injury. These four injuries are the most common, expensive, and often overlooked that you need compensation for in a car accident.
Traumatic brain injuries
An estimated 166 people die per day from head and brain injuries. While you might worry about head injuries in a more severe accident, if you were in an accident that seemed minor, you might not realize the severity of your injury. You could have banged your head against the steering wheel, windshield, or other part of the car. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can range from mild concussions that clear up with rest to more severe injuries that cause lifelong disabilities or early death. These injuries can be both closed or open-head injuries, meaning there may be no external signs of the injury.
Back & spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord and back injuries can impact your ability to work and in worst case scenarios, even cause paralysis or loss of function in certain parts of the body. Back injuries might include torn or stretched muscles or tendons (strains), torn, or stretched ligaments (sprains), herniated or ruptured disks, or fractured vertebrae. Spinal cord injuries may require surgery and can result in paralysis, either from the injury itself or from the attempt to repair the injury.
Airbag injuries
The force required for an airbag to deploy can cause injuries, even if the accident itself doesn’t. Whether the airbag causes injuries as it deploys or fails to deploy at all, it may be an indication of fault in either the design or production of the airbag. This results in painful and often costly injuries to drivers or passengers, especially smaller adults and children.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries are those that aren’t visible on the outside but they can cause significant harm. Injuries such as fractured sternums, abdominal injuries, punctured diaphragms, or injuries to internal organs can all occur from the force of being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. They can be painful and cause internal bleeding and often require emergency treatment. They also often require surgery, hospitalization, and even rehab to fully recover.
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s easy to think you’re fine or that you’ll recover quickly from your injuries. But this isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s important to have a thorough medical exam and then immediately call a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries so you don’t have to foot the bill for someone else’s mistakes.
Author information: Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
