What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Car Accident?

We’ve all seen horrific photos of car accident wrecks. The force of an impact between two vehicles can be nothing short of devastating. Miraculously, some drivers can walk away from a crushed car with a few scratches, while others aren’t so fortunate. Injuries from a car accident can last a few months or a lifetime.

No matter the injury, there will be a cost. The question then becomes: who pays for those injuries?

If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, their insurance should cover the expenses. Before that can happen, you’ll want to consult with an experienced Charleston car accident attorney to determine the full scope of your damages.

Immediate Vs. Delayed Symptoms After a Motor Vehicle Crash

The amount of suffering associated with a car accident injury is a key component in determining the amount of damages you can seek. Your symptoms will either be immediate or delayed.

Here’s what could happen:

Immediate Symptoms

These are the symptoms that are obvious and require immediate medical attention. It often means being transported by ambulance from the accident scene.

• Visible bleeding, cuts, or lacerations from broken glass or impact.
• Sharp, acute pain in the head, neck, chest, or limbs immediately following the collision.
• Visible broken bones or obvious joint dislocations.
• Sudden shortness of breath or acute chest pressure from airbag deployment or seatbelt restraint.
• Immediate loss of consciousness or severe, acute disorientation right at the scene.

Delayed Symptoms

Delayed symptoms may show up several hours, days, or even weeks after the accident. When they do appear, it is important to seek medical attention.

• Neck and shoulder stiffness: These symptoms often point to whiplash or soft-tissue strains that worsen as swelling increases.
• Headaches: Headaches can develop hours after the accident due to mild traumatic brain injuries, concussions, or tension from whiplash.
• Back pain: Manifesting as spinal inflammation, herniated discs, or nerve compression that become aggravated over time and limit your mobility.
• Numbness and tingling: Pins and needles or weakness in the arms or legs might indicate nerve damage or spinal pressure.
• Abdominal pain or swelling: If you experience abdominal pain or swelling, it can be an indication of internal bleeding or organ damage caused by seatbelt impact.
• Emotional and cognitive changes: Changes in your cognitive functions that show up as brain fog, memory problems, anxiety, depression, or sleep disruptions appearing days later.

Once your injury has been diagnosed, you’ll be prescribed a treatment plan. That will determine how much of a disruption to your life those injuries will cause.

Psychological Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A car accident doesn’t just cause physical injury. It can also manifest as psychological trauma. You could experience mental intrusion as you relive the crash through vivid flashbacks or nightmares.

Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD can also manifest as anxiety over the thought of driving. You might also stress out over returning to the location of the accident. You can also experience mood shifts such as outbursts of anger, emotional numbness, or intense brain fog.

Along with your physical injuries, you deserve compensation for your psychological trauma. All of this needs to be part of your car accident claim.

The attorneys at Hendrickson & Long, PLLC have helped many West Virginia residents calculate damages from their car accident injuries. We work closely with our clients to account for all current and future expenses they might incur. We understand the importance of asking for the right number because you won’t get a second chance to refile a claim once you accept a settlement.

No matter what type of injury you’ve suffered from a car accident, you don’t want to put your financial future at risk. Reach out to our offices to schedule a free consultation to discuss what happened and what should happen next.

We can help with the claim while you focus on your recovery.