Car wrecks are one of the most common accidents in Georgia. Anyone who drives to work has probably seen a couple of cars pulled over to the side of the road during any given week, with motorists standing around waiting for a cop to swing by. Griffin Law Firm can help accident victims seek compensation for a car crash injury, but you need to reach out to our firm for assistance. A car accident lawyer Georgia can meet to discuss how the accident unfolded, and if hired, start compiling evidence in support of your case.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents are so traumatic that motorists can injure almost any part of their body. Our law firm can help clients with the following types of injuries from car accidents:
Facial Injuries
Motorists suffer orbital fractures, scarring, and burns on the face. Some of the most common reasons include slamming their face on the dashboard or steering wheel and being injured when airbags deploy. Some airbags deploy with too much force, or they expel metal shards or plastic, which can cut a person’s face.
Facial injuries require various treatments. Severe burns or lacerations can lead to significant scarring and possibly require reconstructive surgery. These injuries often cause intense emotional anguish because the victim cannot hide their injury.
Burns
A passenger can suffer a burn when the car catches on fire or if battery acid is thrown onto them. Burns vary in severity, with second-degree burns requiring skin grafts in some cases, and more serious third- or fourth-degree burns resulting in amputation.
Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A motorist can suffer a brain injury when they slam their head against the window or collide with another passenger. Some TBIs are caused by hard shaking, even if the head doesn’t impact anything.
Concussions and TBIs often result in various impairments:
- Sleep disruption (too much or too little sleep)
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Intense headaches
- Unsteadiness and loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Mood swings or depression
Recovery is often difficult. While a doctor can try to manage symptoms like sleeplessness or mood swings, the brain needs time to heal on its own. More serious TBIs can leave accident victims with disabilities for years.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden, jerking motion of the head, which puts extreme stress on ligaments and muscles. This is one of the most common injuries from car accidents.
Severe neck stiffness is the main symptom, although victims will possibly experience ringing in their ears and other problems.
This injury will slowly heal on its own, but motorists probably need pain medication and massage to help slowly introduce movement. Being unable to turn your head can keep most people from returning to work, so this is an expensive injury.
Broken Bones
A fracture is a common car crash injury. Broken bones vary in terms of severity:
- Hairline fractures. These are the least serious and can heal if you remove weight from the bone.
- Transverse fracture. The bone breaks in a straight, horizontal line.
- Compound fracture. This is a dangerous fracture where the broken bone pushes out of the skin. There is a risk of infection and other problems.
- Comminuted fracture. When a bone is shattered into many pieces, a surgeon usually installs a plate to hold them together.
Broken bones have various complications, especially if they slice healthy tissue or puncture a lung. Treat this as a serious injury and go to the hospital after your car accident.
Back Injuries
Our clients often come in with various back injuries:
- Back sprain
- Herniated disc
- Fractured vertebra
- Lower back pain
- Facet syndrome
- Spondylosis
Back injuries often require rest, but some require surgery so a patient can finally become pain-free. A herniated disc, for example, can press on nerves and cause chronic pain.
Spinal Cord Injury
This is a catastrophic injury in many cases. The spinal cord connects the brain to the limbs, with neurological signals racing up and down the cord. Any damage to this cord can disrupt this function and result in impaired movement or sensory problems.
Spinal cord injuries vary in severity, with incomplete injuries leaving a motorist with some functioning after the accident. Nonetheless, many motorists are significantly impaired. A complete injury typically results in full paralysis below the injury site. A person will probably never walk again.
Spinal cord injuries are expensive. Many patients spend more than $1 million in immediate medical care, including surgery. That amount does not even cover lost wages or income. We encourage families to call a law firm for help. Some physical recovery is possible with incomplete injuries, but the journey is tough, with high rehabilitation expenses.
Chest Injuries
Motorists can suffer chest injuries even if they are wearing a seatbelt. In fact, the belt could actually press against the chest and cause an injury:
- Rib fractures
- Pectoral tear
- Punctured lung
- Heart contusion
Motorists can die from some of these conditions, especially any injury to the heart. Proceed cautiously and follow your doctor’s orders. If you are told to rest, then rest at home.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
We can’t leave out the emotional injuries that many motorists struggle with following an accident. PTSD is a condition that many motorists develop after a traumatic incident. There are common symptoms, including intrusive thoughts and nightmares.
Many victims will avoid vehicles, or they try to avoid the place where they were hurt in a crash. PTSD impacts every facet of a person’s life: financial, physical, and emotional. Many families are thrown into turmoil when a loved one develops PTSD.
Doctors have various treatments, including behavioral therapy. One challenge is getting victims to the hospital to receive the treatment they need.
Contact Griffin Law Firm After a Car Crash
Our Snellville car accident attorney has brought different types of car accident cases, and he knows that injured victims are struggling in the weeks and months following a crash. Griffin Law Firm has negotiated many settlements on behalf of clients, and we can provide an overview of the claims process in a consultation. Contact our office today.