An auto accident can be one of the most sudden and devastating life events an individual can face. The injuries involved can range from minor to severe, and everywhere in between. While safe driving habits can reduce the risk of an accident, nothing can guarantee safety.
While there are a wide range of possible injuries from auto accidents we could address, we provide here a brief overview of some of the more common types of injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you may have a legal case. With over 20 years of experience, the Khalidi Law Firm can help you get the compensation and closure you deserve. Contact the Tucson injury lawyers at The Khalidi Law Firm today.
Here are some of the most common types of injuries caused by the trauma of a car crash.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can vary widely in severity, from being as slight as a bump or a bruise to as severe as a traumatic brain injury. The two broadest categories of head injuries are closed injuries, which leave the skull intact, and open injuries, in which the skull is broken by the impact.
Concussions are one of the most common types of head injuries. In a concussion, the sudden movement of the head forces the brain to bounce against the inner walls of the skull. Concussions generally lead only to temporary loss of function, but multiple concussions are known to lead to permanent brain damage.
Other types of head injuries include hematoma (blood clotting in the brain), hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), edema (swelling of the brain), skull fracture (an external object breaks the skull), and diffuse axonal injury (injury to brain cells that does not cause bleeding).
Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries are those that cause damage to any part of the spinal cord. These injuries can lead to varying levels of paralysis and loss of sensation.
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are classified into two categories: complete and incomplete. A complete SCI severs the spinal cord at the site of the break, causing complete loss of sensation and movement below the site of the injury. An incomplete injury only partially damages the cord, leading to varying degrees of disability, depending on the severity of the break.
At present, spinal injuries cannot be repaired. However, medical professionals are optimistic that advances in medicine will someday make these repairs possible.
Internal Organs
Internal organ damage can occur whenever the body encounters a sudden, hard contact. They may or may not involve piercing of the skin. Just a few of the possible internal organ injuries from a vehicle crash include:
- Abdominal aorta rupture—An abdominal aortic rupture is a serious and life-threatening condition.
- Punctured lungs—If a crash breaks the ribs, it is likely that it could result in punctured lungs.
- Ruptured spleen—A ruptured spleen causes internal bleeding and other symptoms that often require removal of the spleen.
- Kidneys or liver—Blunt trauma to the abdomen can cause kidney or liver damage.
- Bowels—Damage to the bowels can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle tenderness, and shock.
- Internal bleeding—Even if none of the organs are damaged, internal bleeding could still be present.
Fractures
In non-medical terms, a fracture is simply a broken bone. These injuries are often extremely painful and can lead to serious problems with movement. Any bone in the body has the potential to be broken. Fractures are either closed (the skin is not broken) or open (the broken bone pierces the skin and protrudes). Open breaks are sometimes called compound fractures.
Most fractures will involve reduced movement, at least for the short term. Depending on the severity and location of the break, they may lead to a period of immobility. Treatment may involve wearing a cast or a splint.
Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcycle injuries are somewhat different than other vehicle accident injuries. Due to the lack of protection and the small size of the vehicle, motorcyclists are more likely than other drivers to be killed in the event of an accident. In addition, how a motorcyclist’s body impacts another vehicle or structures alongside a roadway is quite different than a person riding inside a closed vehicle who is usually wearing a seatbelt and often protected by air bags, to some extent.
In non-fatal accidents, the most common injuries to motorcyclists are to the legs and feet, head and neck, upper trunk (chest, shoulder, and back), and lower trunk (hips and pelvis). Like all other types of injuries, these can vary widely in severity and the range of treatment options. The unrestricted movement of a person involved in a motorcycle crash means their injuries can stem from impacts with objects along the roadway. Those objects could be road signs, guardrails, guard wires, or the surface of the road itself.
Legal Help after a Vehicle Accident Injury
Let us help you determine whether an injury suffered by you or a loved one in an auto accident may be suitable for a legal case. The Khalidi Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience helping injured persons in the Tucson area get the compensation and closure they deserve. If you have suffered injury or lost a loved one in an accident, we can help. Contact our Tucson auto accident injury lawyers at The Khalidi Law firm for a case evaluation.
