According to the NSC (National Safety Council), 4,800,000 people were injured in traffic accidents in 2020 seriously enough to need medical attention. In Indiana, that figure was 38, 913. All injuries resulting from a crash are horrifying if you are the one involved, but some common car crash injuries are particularly severe.
Severe injuries may affect your ability to work, attend school, or even function without pain on a daily basis. The actions of a negligent driver could alter the trajectory of the rest of your life. This is why it is so important to seek the advice of an experienced car crash injury lawyer. He or she may have to fight reluctant insurance companies to make sure that you are fairly and adequately compensated for your injuries. Unfortunately, expenses add up when you or a loved one is dealing with injuries that are difficult to recover from.
What Are the Worst Car Crash Injuries?
Listed below are some of the worst car crash injuries you may experience after a motor vehicle accident, but there is no way of actually ranking them. Let’s face it, the worst injury is the one you experience yourself.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A TBI could occur as a result of blunt force. It is possible to hit your head against the steering wheel or dashboard or against a side window. In a collision, projectiles can be propelled through the air and collide with your head. Penetrating injuries are also possible. These occur when glass or other objects actually penetrate the skull and injure the brain.
Although effects may differ, depending on the part of the brain that is injured, some generalizations about TBIs can be made. There may be problems with:
- Cognition
- Sensory processing
- Communication
- Behavior
- Mental health
- In especially severe cases, a patient may be left in a coma or persistent vegetative state (PVS).
Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury can take weeks, months, or years. Sadly, in some cases, there is never a return to a pre-brain-injured state.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, “Those who sustain brain injuries are many times more likely to suffer from any variety of conditions or neurological disorders, ranging from spasticity to Alzheimer’s Disease.”
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents have been the leading cause of spinal cord injuries since 2015. The spinal cord, the column of nerves within the spinal column, controls feeling and motor function, so any injuries to it can be catastrophic.
Spinal cord injuries can cause loss of ability to:
- Walk or move (paralysis)
- Control one’s bladder and bowel
- Recognize temperature changes
- Feel sensations or touch
- Breathe without assistance
3. Damage to Internal Organs
Blunt or penetrating trauma to the torso can cause damage to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, or heart. Internal bleeding is not always immediately apparent, which is why it is crucial to be seen by a medical professional after being involved in a crash.
- Often surgery is required to stop internal bleeding and repair damaged internal organs.
- Many of these types of injuries can be fatal if there is no immediate medical intervention.
- For example, a bowel injury that is left unaddressed can result in peritonitis, septic shock, and possibly death.
4. Back and Neck Injuries
- Whiplash is the most common neck injury (the neck is actually part of the spine). It occurs when the head is snapped back and forth, causing soft tissue trauma. You may not feel the effects of whiplash immediately, but by the next day, you may experience pain, numbness in your arms, and difficulty turning – or even moving – your neck.
- Ruptured (also called herniated or bulged) discs usually occur in the lower back. They can cause sciatica, a sharp burning pain that radiates from the buttocks into the legs.
- A vertebral fracture can cause damage to the spinal cord. In severe car accidents, the force may be strong enough to fracture several vertebrae. As with all of these severe car crash injuries, fractured vertebrae lead to pain, as well as possible tingling and weakness in the limbs.
- Vertebral Compression Fractures usually happen in the lower part of the thoracic (middle spine).
5. Burns
In catastrophic accidents, burn injuries can be severe. Third-degree burns damage the epidermis, the dermis, (both skin layers), and the fat layer beneath the dermis. Skin grafts are often necessary, and the pain is intense. Potential risks of third-degree burns include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Low blood pressure
- Edema (swelling and fluid in the tissues)
- Pneumonia
- Nerve damage
- Loss of motion
- Chronic pain
Contact Crossen Law Firm After a Car Accident in Indiana
Indiana code 35-31.5-2-34.5 defines a catastrophic injury as one that is so severe that it impairs a person’s ability to live independently for at least one year, but any type of injury will mean costly medical expenses. Filing injury claims for a car accident can be a complex and confusing process, especially when you are coping with pain and trying to recover. At Crossen Law Firm, we have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively negotiate with insurance companies to obtain maximum compensation.
Get started on your case today by scheduling a free consultation about your situation.
Call (317) 401-8626 or contact us online.
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