If you were injured in a car crash in southern Louisiana, know that some 7,000 people are put in a similar situation as yours every day. As for the injuries that arise from these accidents, they can vary widely based on the severity of the crash. They can affect almost any part of the body, as the following summary of the most common injuries will show.
Traumatic brain injuries and neck injuries
Starting with the head, it can collide against the side window, the steering wheel, the roof or the windshield. Loose objects may hit it, too. All of this can lead to a concussion or traumatic brain injury, the symptoms of which may not appear until days or weeks after the incident. In serious cases, a TBI can involve bleeding under the skull, which will require surgery.
Neck injuries, in particular whiplash, are not uncommon either. Crash victims incur whiplash when their neck snaps back and forth, straining or tearing the muscles there and perhaps even dislocating the vertebrae. Only surgery could address that dislocation, but milder forms of whiplash can be treated with pain medications.
Seat belt-related injuries
Though it may save your life, the seat belt can still cause damage. Collarbone and rib injuries caused by the shoulder belt are one example. The lap belt, if worn incorrectly, can press against the heart, lungs, liver and other organs and even cause internal bleeding. Without a seatbelt, though, you run the risk of spraining or breaking your leg, knee or foot.
Psychological injuries
Last but not least, many crash victims develop a phobia of driving and suffer intense anxiety. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder becomes a very real possibility.
For victims
Whether or not you have a valid personal injury claim depends on the degree of your and the other driver’s fault. If the latter’s surpasses yours, you may want to file a lawsuit, though any degree of fault will naturally make it harder to negotiate for a fair settlement. A lawyer may help you strengthen the case with evidence and represent you throughout the process.