Common Auto Accident Injuries
Understanding Auto Accident Injuries
A catastrophic car accident has the potential to inflict life-altering physical damage that can persist for years. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial not only to prevent further health complications but also to potentially save lives. While your top priority should be recovery, it’s important to consider the responsible party or individual behind your injuries.
At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we understand the profound impact that car accident injuries can have on both individuals and their families. That’s why our experienced personal injury lawyer is dedicated to providing victims of car accidents with personalized care, guiding them through the legal process to seek financial compensation for any personal damages endured. During this difficult time in your life, we are here to stand by your side, offering support and advocating for your rights.
Most Common Types Of Auto Accident Injuries
Whiplash Injuries
According to the Mayo Clinic, rear-end collisions are the leading cause of whiplash, resulting in approximately 120,000 individuals suffering from this common injury every year. Whiplash, characterized by neck pain, can be debilitating, but fortunately, it typically resolves within a few weeks. Here are some common signs of whiplash injuries to watch out for:Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain worsens when the neck moves
- Neck loses range of motion
- Headaches
- Shoulder, upper back, or arm pain
- Tingling and numbness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Other symptoms can include:
- Irritability or personality change
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- Blurry vision
- Tinnitus (ears ringing)
- Sleep difficulties
- Depression
Neck injuries
Our necks, delicate as they are, bear the weight of our heads, making them susceptible to damage even from slight shakes or jolts. The muscles, ligaments, and cartilage that hold them in place can be affected, leading to injuries like whiplash. While not always immediately visible, these injuries may take months, or even longer, to heal and can result in long-lasting discomfort.
Did you know that the weight of your head, when properly balanced on your neck in an upright position, is only 11 pounds? However, in the unfortunate event of an accident that throws off this balance even slightly, a mere tilt to one side can make it feel like it weighs 60 pounds. This sudden force can cause severe neck injuries, both from the deployment of airbags and from contact with hard objects such as steering wheels. If you experience any discomfort or pain following a collision, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
Back & Spinal Cord Injuries
Car accidents have the potential to result in a wide array of back and spinal cord injuries, such as strains, sprains, disc slips, and fractures. The symptoms of these injuries can vary depending on the location of the injury along the spinal column or neck, as well as the severity of the injury. Some of the commonly experienced symptoms associated with these types of car accident injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Back pain
- Weakness and/or tingling in the legs
- Limited mobility and/or range of motion in the spine
- Loss of bladder and/or bowel control.
Back and spinal cord injuries can result from various risk factors. One such factor is auto accidents, which have been known to cause significant harm to the back and/or spinal cord.
- Rollover accidents occur
- Vehicle occupants are thrown from vehicles
- High-speed collisions occur
- A car or truck collides with a pedestrian, bicycle, or motorcycle
Head & Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) rank as the third leading cause of fatalities in motor vehicle accidents in America. These injuries to the head and brain can range from mild to severe, depending on the location and intensity of impact during a car crash. Symptoms commonly associated with these head traumas resulting from automobile accidents may include:
- Cognitive symptoms, such as memory and concentration problems, difficulty speaking, perception impairments, etc.
- Behavioral symptoms, like mood swings, anxiety, increased irritability, etc.
- Physical symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, balancing and coordination problems, headaches, etc.
Bone Fractures
Fractures, ranging from broken arms to shattered legs, are an unfortunately common consequence of car accidents. The symptoms of a bone fracture can vary depending on the location, with potential signs including:
- Severe pain and bruising
- Limited mobility
- Swelling and/or tenderness in the affected area
Bone fractures are more likely to result from car accidents when:
- Side- and/or front-impact collisions occur.
- High-speed crashes take place.
- Occupants are thrown from vehicles as a result of the crash.
- A car or truck collides with a pedestrian, bicycle, or motorcycle.
Psychological Injuries & Impacts
Car accidents can leave a lasting psychological impact on victims, and this experience varies from person to person. Individuals with permanent physical injuries often endure heightened mental anguish as their careers, quality of life, and independence are disrupted. In certain instances, these psychological effects may endure for years, or even a lifetime.
Top Causes Of Auto Accidents In New York
The roads in New York City have turned into battlegrounds, where innocent lives are lost due to collisions caused by reckless and distracted drivers. These drivers are often impaired, inexperienced, or facing hazardous conditions. A car, which is essentially a massive steel machine powered by a hot engine and filled with combustible liquid, becomes a deadly weapon. In such circumstances, driving carelessly could potentially result in the loss of life for those around us. It is crucial that we all recognize the responsibility we have to drive safely and protect the lives of others.
Reckless Driving
It is unfortunately a frequent occurrence to witness drivers who disregard the rules of the road. Stop signs are often treated as mere suggestions, blinkers are deemed unnecessary, and every street seems to be seen as intended for two-way traffic. However, if recklessness takes hold behind the wheel of a car, it can tragically result in a life-ending or life-altering incident in an instant.
Distracted Driving
We are a nation of distracted drivers, constantly taking our eyes off the road. From eating breakfast behind the wheel to participating in Zoom calls, our lack of focus not only endangers us but also those around us. Fatigued driving is equally, if not more, dangerous than distracted driving. It is crucial for everyone to adopt these precautionary measures:
- In a call, set your phone to speaker mode, or connect it to your car’s Bluetooth system so you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes forward.
- Have a passenger do tasks that would distract you.
- Pull to the side of the road and park to take care of something urgent.
- If you often change radio channels during commercials, make a playlist instead.
Intoxicated Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, whether legal or illegal, is a major contributor to accidents on the road, water, and bicycles. When starting a new medication, it is crucial to carefully read and heed the warnings provided in the prospectus. Give your body enough time to adjust to the medication’s effects before considering driving. If you have any doubts about how a substance might impair your ability to drive, it is always better to err on the side of caution. Never risk endangering yourself or others by driving while intoxicated.
Contact Our New York Auto Accident Lawyer Today
Have you been involved in a car accident? If so, it’s crucial to reach out to our reputable New York auto accident lawyer at Rosenberg & Rodriguez. Our dedicated legal team is committed to providing honest guidance and dependable representation for victims across New York.
We firmly believe that everyone deserves legal representation, regardless of their financial circumstances. That’s why we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay for our services if we successfully win your case. We believe this approach ensures fairness and equal access to justice for individuals from all walks of life. Don’t hesitate to contact our office today to learn more about how we can assist you.