What To Know About Common Injuries Related To Car Accidents And Your Legal Options

Thousands of car accidents happen in the Seattle area each year. When they do, serious injuries can occur. When you or someone you love are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you have a right to know what happened, why, and how to recover in a lawsuit. The Seattle car accident attorneys at the Emerald Law Group can help you understand your injuries and get a sense of what you might be entitled to in court.

Some common injuries due to car crashes include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

These injuries involve brain damage caused by blows, fractures, or piercing injuries to the head. Traumatic brain injury can occur in any type of car crash where a person’s head hits a window, door, or other object. Car crashes are the 2nd-leading cause of serious brain injuries behind falls, and can tragically lead to death or disability in victims of all ages in a car accident.

Whiplash

Similar to brain and head injuries, whiplash refers to muscle, ligament and tendon injuries impacting the soft tissue areas of the neck in a car. The forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck can cause neck injury in a high speed car collision. Even at lower speeds, whiplash is still a risk for any drivers or passengers in a vehicle. Recovery from whiplash can last as soon as a few weeks with proper treatment and therapy, but can also cause long-term or even lifelong effects.

Back Injuries

Back injuries, including spinal cord injuries, are a serious potential consequence in any car crash. Even if a driver or passenger was properly restrained in the vehicle, injuries to any area of the back including the spine can occur. Sometimes, it can take days or even weeks for signs of a back injury to show themselves. Treatment and rehabilitation for back injuries can be complex and costly. Any car crash victim suffering a back injury should maintain careful records of their diagnosis and all related treatment.

Injuries to the Lower Leg or Foot

The smaller bones and tissues from the shin to the toes are highly susceptible to injury in high-impact car collisions. Injuries to these areas take notoriously long to heal, since we constantly place body weight on these areas to stand and walk. Rehabilitation from any kind of lower leg injury can be time-consuming and frustrating. These injuries also make it harder to perform daily tasks and work jobs that involve any type of standing or physical activity.

Chest Injuries

Collapsed lungs, broken ribs, and internal bleeding are all risks associated with car crashes. High-impact contact steering wheels, seat belts, airbags, and other parts of the car can lead to severe injuries. Car crash survivors should be alert after an accident for any signs of a chest injury including shortness of breath, rapid or uneven heart rate, coughing up blood, or other signs of injury.

What to Do After a Car Accident Injury

The list above does not cover all possibilities, as car crashes can cause a wide variety of injuries and even death to those victimized by a wreck. When any type of injury occurs and another driver is responsible, victims should consult a skilled Seattle personal injury attorney to discuss all available legal options.

Our Seattle Car Accident Attorneys Have Represented Many Others and Are Here to Help You Too 

Going through a car accident is a traumatic and often devastating experience. The initial shock and damage to a vehicle is challenging in itself. Factor in the physical and emotional injuries and the road to full recovery can be long, stressful – and expensive.

Our experienced Seattle car accident attorneys at the Emerald Law Group have helped people just like you obtain full and fair compensation for their injuries after a car crash. To learn more about your legal rights in these situations, do not hesitate to visit our firm online or call for a free consultation at 206-823-0792.