Common Types of Injuries Sustained in Baltimore City Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over three million people are injured in car accidents in the United States every year. Depending on the severity of the wreck, the types of injuries can vary from minor scrapes to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and even death. For example, crash victims are much more likely to be seriously injured, or worse, in a head-on collision than those who are rear-ended. Those who have been involved in a car accident should always seek medical attention as soon as possible, regardless of how serious the injury first appears. If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, injured victims should consult an experienced car accident lawyer in Baltimore City for help recovering damages.
The following are examples of some of the most common types of car accident injuries:
Arm and leg injuries: The legs, knees, arms, wrists, and shoulders are vulnerable to impact when a vehicle strikes or is struck by another car. Injuries can range from cuts and bruises to severe lacerations and broken bones.
Back injuries: One of the most common types of car accident injury, these include sprains and strains, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae. Unfortunately, back injuries can affect the victim’s quality of life as a result of chronic pain and discomfort, often making it difficult to work or perform basic physical tasks. In many cases, the symptoms of the injury may not present themselves until after the collision.
Facial injuries: The face is also very vulnerable to injury, either from hitting the steering wheel, the impact of the airbag, flying debris, and shattered glass, among other things. Specific injuries include cuts, scrapes, lacerations, fractures, and dental and jaw injuries.
Head and brain injuries: These tend to be some of the most serious and debilitating injuries. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on how hard the head was hit and the location of the area affected. Individuals who have sustained a head injury should always be checked by a medical professional. Even if there are no visible signs of trauma, the impact can cause the brain to swell or bleed, which can be very dangerous.
Internal organ injuries: When the body sustains any kind of blunt force trauma, the risk of internal injuries is significant. For example, if a victim’s chest hits the steering wheel, breaking one or more ribs, it can puncture the lungs or other internal organs. Injuries like this can be very dangerous, but are often undetectable at first. This is another example of how important it is to be checked by a medical professional anytime you have been injured in a car accident.
Neck injuries: These common car accident injuries can range in severity from relatively mild cases of whiplash and neck strain to cervical dislocations and injuries to discs. In some cases, victims may not feel the full effect of a neck injury until days after the crash. Even if a victim’s neck feels only slightly stiff after an accident, he or she should always have it checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Psychological injuries: Car accidents can be very traumatic, especially for those who have been seriously injured, and the families of those who have been fatally injured. Injured victims often experience chronic pain, affecting their ability to perform daily tasks or go to work. Consequently, they may become depressed, stressed, or anxious. In more severe cases, car accident victims can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may require professional help from a qualified psychiatrist, as well as medication to help manage the symptoms.
Spinal cord injuries: These injuries tend to be more severe and can lead to a loss of function or paralysis in certain parts of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged from the impact of the accident, it can destroy nerves that carry signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Baltimore City Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Injured Victims Secure Maximum Compensation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you are urged to contact the Baltimore City car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Whether you suffered from whiplash, an injured knee, or a traumatic brain injury, we are committed to obtaining the optimal financial compensation that you deserve. We will keep fighting for you until a fair settlement has been reached. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims throughout Maryland, including those in Baltimore City.