Howard County Car Accident Lawyers
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents are responsible for thousands of deaths and even more injuries each year. In fact, there were over 5.6 million car accidents reported in the United States in 2012, over 30,000 of which were fatal and another 1.6 million involved some kind of injury. The types of injuries that are caused by car accidents are as varied as the people who are involved. The severity of injuries depend largely on the cause of the accident, and whether the occupants were wearing their seatbelts. The following are some of the most common car accident injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries: These occur when the impact of a crash causes damage to the body’s soft tissues, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. One of the most common examples of a soft tissue injury is whiplash, which occurs when the muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back are stretched upon impact.
- Scrapes and cuts: Oftentimes, a scrape or a cut does not require any medical treatment and will heal on its own in a matter of days. Larger or deeper cuts may cause serious bleeding and require stitches or some other medical intervention.
- Head injuries: These can range from minor concussions to severe skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Any head injury should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out a more serious condition such as swelling or bleeding in the brain.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: Lower back injuries are quite common, and can include strains, sprains, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae. Damage to the spinal cord can be much more serious, resulting in a loss of feeling or function. Severe spinal cord injuries may lead to paralysis.
- Chest injuries: From bruising to cracked ribs, these injuries can be caused by the chest hitting the steering wheel. In more severe cases, a broken rib can puncture a lung or other internal organ.
- Internal injuries: When the impact of the car accident is severe, it can cause internal injuries to the bowels, spleen, kidneys, liver, heart, or lungs. These injuries are life-threatening and thus require immediate medical attention.
- Arm and leg injuries: These injuries are common, and tend to occur when the arms or legs hit the hard interior of the car. Victims often suffer from bruises, scrapes, sprains, and broken bones.
- Facial injuries: The face is vulnerable to injuries from hitting the steering wheel, windshield, or dashboard. Shattered glass and other objects in the car can cause bruising and lacerations. Some victims may suffer eye injuries as well as injuries to the jaw and teeth.
- Psychological injuries: Car accidents can be extremely traumatic events, especially for those who have been seriously injured or lost a loved one. It can be a shock to the system, resulting in both short and long-term psychological injuries, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Serious psychological injuries require intervention from a qualified medical professional.
Howard County Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Injured Car Accident Victims
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident, it is imperative that you contact the highly skilled Howard County car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We are committed to providing you with the dedicated legal counsel you deserve. Our experienced team will examine every detail of your case, and we will not stop fighting for you until we obtain the maximum financial compensation to which you are entitled. To schedule a free, confidential consultation with a member of our legal team, 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 in Howard County, Maryland, which includes the cities of Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Highland, Ilchester, Laurel, and North Laurel.