Variables like speeding, distracted driving and even weather conditions influence the severity of a car accident. These variables can also influence victims’ injuries, including the type of injury as well as the severity. Here are just a few of the serious car accident injuries that can affect virtually anyone who is involved in an accident, and may lead to personal injury claims.
Injuries to the neck are common, and most people in New York are probably already familiar with one — whiplash. Whiplash is usually thought of as a minor injury that is nothing more than a little pain in the back of the neck, but it can actually cause significant damage to ligaments. Some whiplash victims even temporarily suffer from vocal cord paralysis. Other types of neck injuries can also occur when a victim’s head and neck move suddenly.
Victims can also suffer chest injuries. These are usually the result of blunt force trauma, which can cause internal bleeding, collapsed lungs and broken ribs. Chest injuries are particularly dangerous for victims who have heart conditions, and may even trigger cardiac arrest.
Head injuries are especially serious. For example, concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can have lasting cognitive effects for victims. Some even suffer hearing or vision loss Any type of damage to the brain often requires long term care and treatment, sometimes for life.
The real impact of a car accident is not always evident right away, so it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there is a cost to that medical care and to the entire recovery process. Some car accident victims in New York choose to turn to personal injury claims, which can help them achieve necessary compensation.