Although many aspects of the processes occurring within the human body are still a mystery to science, the human body can recover. We have seen many car accident victims recover over time. They had serious injuries, but with treatment, support, and legal help, they fully recovered.
The body's injuries that can suffer after an impact at high speeds are diverse. Unfortunately, there is still no way to build a superhuman body immune to these injuries. But who knows?
Maybe in the future, we can have medicines that will relieve everything instantly. With science and knowledge, medicine can benefit humanity instead of serving economic interests.
As legal representatives in accident cases, we have worked with doctors to understand our clients' situations. Although we are not doctors, their expertise has been valuable.
Medical specialists have taught us that providing prompt and accurate treatment is essential. This is because it helps prevent long-term effects and accelerates the healing process.
There is no greater moment of happiness when we see our clients recover their health after an accident, finally, walk without any injury, or practice their favorite sport. Those moments are truly magical. Unfortunately, many of us value the importance of health only when we have lost it.
We want to see a much healthier Queens community. This community values caring for their bodies and respecting cyclists and pedestrians while moving around the city. Hopefully, someday, our friends and doctors will be able to tell us that motor vehicle accident-related injuries have decreased in their emergency rooms.
In the following paragraphs, we would like to group the most relevant information about the injuries that can arise in this type of accident. We want to bring some light to these common injuries from car accidents so that all our citizens have valuable information, avoid unnecessary suffering, and know how to proceed in these types of cases.
Introduction to the Types of Injuries
To understand the possible injuries that can be triggered by an automobile accident, it is necessary to take into consideration the following points:
- Due to the sudden impact and forces involved in car accidents, many different types of injuries can result.
- Different body parts can be affected by different types of injuries, ranging from minor to severe.
- It's imperative to seek the appropriate medical care after a car accident, given the potential injuries that may occur.
Differentiating Injury Severity
- Even though unimportant minor wounds like cuts, scrapes, and bruises can hurt.
- Sprains, strains, and small fractures are common injuries in car accidents that frequently result in observable pain, swelling, and restricted movement.
- The most troubling injuries are those that cause severe organ damage, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Mobility, cognitive abilities, and overall quality of life may all be negatively impacted by these injuries, which have potentially fatal results.
Importance of Prompt Medical Treatment
- Even if injuries seem minor, seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident is imperative.
- Even though some injuries may not immediately manifest symptoms, prompt treatment can avoid complications and increase the likelihood of a full recovery.
- A formal record of your injuries is created when you see a doctor, and this record is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal actions.
- During an accident, the adrenaline rush can obscure pain, causing injuries to go unnoticed; a professional evaluation is required to identify hidden injuries.
Understanding Whiplash Injuries
- The sudden back-and-forth neck movement during an accident is a common cause of whiplash.
- Whiplash is frequently brought on by rear-end collisions, though it can also happen in other types of accidents.
- Symptoms, including neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and cognitive difficulties, may not manifest immediately.
Long-Term Implications of Neck Injuries
- If not properly treated, neck injuries, including whiplash, can have long-term consequences.
- Stiffness, restricted range of motion, and chronic pain can last months or even years.
- Serious neck injuries can impact daily activities, such as work and leisure time, and overall quality of life.
Head and Brain Injuries
Can you imagine the possible consequences of a blow to the head after an accident at high speeds? We could be facing a case of immediate death due to the level of impact, although in the case of survival, there may be after-effects.
Sometimes, people gain new skills, such as playing the piano or speaking multiple languages, after experiencing a severe head injury. However, such scenarios are perhaps only 5%. Usually, the results are not as nice as developing a skill but dealing with injuries that could permanently impact one's life.
Some aspects linked to head injuries are as follows:
- Head injuries from minor to severe can result from car accidents.
- Concussions frequently occur as a result of the brain colliding with the skull during impact.
- Contusions, intracranial bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the more serious wounds.
- High-impact collisions can break bones in the skull, which could injure the brain.
- Fractures can be open (where the skin is broken) or closed (where the skin is intact).
- To evaluate potential brain damage, skull fractures require immediate medical attention.
- Intracranial Hematomas: These blood clots develop in the brain due to broken blood vessels.
- Hematomas can exert pressure on the brain, leading to symptoms like confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
- Urgent medical intervention, including surgery, might be necessary to relieve pressure.
- Diffuse Axonal Injuries: When the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, it damages nerve fibers and causes these injuries.
- Long-term cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments are potential outcomes of diffuse axonal injuries.
- The extent of the damage can be confirmed and used to direct treatment with prompt medical evaluation.
- Penetrating Trauma: In some circumstances, the cranium can be penetrated by jagged objects or accident debris.
- A penetrating head injury has a high risk of infection and needs to be treated right away.
- To remove foreign objects and avoid complications, surgery may be required.
Resources in Queens for diagnosing and treating head and brain injuries:
Medical science provides various techniques and mechanisms that aid in accurately detecting this type of condition. Some of these methods that are available in the Queens area and throughout New York State are as follows:
CT Scan (Computed Tomography) in Queens Car Accidents
- A CT scan offers precise cross-sectional images of the structure of the brain.
- It's often used to assess traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and bleeding quickly.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in Queens Car Accidents
- MRI uses strong magnetic fields to create detailed images of the brain's soft tissues.
- It's effective for detecting subtle brain injuries and abnormalities.
X-rays in Queens Car Accidents
- Fractures, damage to the skull, and foreign objects in the head can all be seen on X-rays.
- They are still useful for preliminary evaluations even though they are less precise than CT scans or MRIs.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) in Queens Car Accidents
- PET scans help evaluate brain function and blood flow.
- They're useful for detecting changes in brain activity caused by injuries.
Neurological Examinations in Queens Car Accidents
- These tests evaluate the brain's cognitive, sensory, and motor functions post-head injury.
- Reflex, coordination, and speech changes can be detected using neurological tests.
These techniques are essential for correctly identifying and assessing head injuries brought on by accidents, allowing medical professionals to offer suitable interventions and treatments.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Pain
The spinal cord is another vital part of the body that is vital to its proper functioning. Any injury or impact that alters its function could affect the entire body and other organs. Below, we will describe the most relevant aspects of this type of injury.
Differentiating Between Spinal Cord Injuries, Herniated Discs, and Other Back Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries involve damage to the spinal cord, often resulting in loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site.
- Herniated Discs: Herniated discs are when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae rupture, resulting in pain from inflammation and nerve compression.
- Fractured Vertebrae: The stability of the spine and nerve function may be impacted by vertebral fractures, ranging in severity from minor cracks to severe breaks.
- Sprains and Strains: Strains affect muscles and tendons, while sprains involve stretched or torn ligaments; both can result in severe pain and constrained movement.
- Soft Tissue Injuries in your back: Damage to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons can lead to localized pain and discomfort.
Early detection of any of these lesions will help prevent complications in the long term. This will shorten the recovery time, and you can smile in much less time.
Each type of back injury requires specific diagnostic approaches and tailored treatment plans. Understanding the differences can aid in accurate diagnosis and effective rehabilitation.
Broken Bones / Fractures
Car accidents can lead to various types of bone fractures due to the forceful impact on the body.
- Simple Fractures: This type of fracture, frequently brought on by abrupt impact, involves a clean break in the bone without piercing the skin.
- Compound Fractures: Compound fractures, also known as open fractures, involve a bone breaking through the skin, posing an infection risk.
- Comminuted Fractures: Comminuted fractures break the bone into multiple fragments, typically due to significant force.
- Compression Fractures: In most cases, compression fractures in the spine result in the vertebrae collapsing or breaking under the pressure of the fracture.
- Hairline Fractures: Despite being less obvious, hairline fractures are tiny cracks in the bone that still cause pain and discomfort.
- Stress Fractures: Stress fractures, which are minute cracks brought on by repeated strain or overuse, are frequently observed in places that experience constant impact.
For a proper medical evaluation and treatment to ensure the best possible healing and recovery, it is essential to understand the type of fracture and its severity.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
Injuries in these types of accidents are not always noticeable or are considered exposed injuries. Sometimes, a body organ can be affected when torn or bleeding. The human body has many veins and delicate tissues that can be easily damaged. Some common issues surrounding this type of injury are as follows:
- Hidden Danger of Internal Injuries: Even without obvious external wounds, car accidents can damage internal organs.
- Symptoms and Complications: Internal injuries may not be immediately obvious, but symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and breathing difficulties can also include abdominal pain.
- Organ Damage: Due to the force of a car accident, organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines may be harmed.
- Surgical Intervention: Surgery is frequently needed to repair damaged organs and stop further complications in cases of severe internal injuries.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Last but not least, the emotional consequences of this type of event can be very difficult to assimilate. This is the area where our healthcare system sometimes fails. Our doctors sometimes live obsessed with the laboratory, with germs or bacteria, when the emotional, holistic, and human aspects can be left aside. That is precisely what we do not want to happen, so we share valuable information about it to raise awareness around the subject.
To mention a few examples and some relevant aspects of this issue, we have encountered the following over the years by looking at various cases:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Being involved in or witnessing a car accident can cause PTSD, which manifests as nightmares, flashbacks, and extreme anxiety.
- Anxiety and Panic Disorders: Because they fear operating a vehicle or being in one, car accident victims may experience generalized anxiety or panic disorders.
- Depression and Mood Disorders: Trauma from an accident can lead to depression, which can cause melancholy, interest loss, and difficulty concentrating.
- Social Isolation: Some survivors experience social isolation because they avoid social situations out of anxiety or fear.
- Counseling and therapy: Expert counseling and therapy can assist people in overcoming emotional trauma and creating coping mechanisms for anxiety.
- Joining support groups with people who have also been in auto accidents can foster a sense of camaraderie and understanding.
Contact a Car Accident Injury Lawyer in Queens
In this last point of emotional consequences, we consider that it is vital that the affected person finds spiritual meaning in his/her life. With God's guidance, he/she can recover the lost path after a fatality of this type. At The Ward Law Group, we advocate a holistic approach to these cases.
Not only is legal expertise enough, but also a human approach and the ability to actively listen to our clients. Don't go through this journey alone. Contact our team of professionals at The Ward Law Group to make this experience much smoother and easier.
Call us at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free case consultation!