Health Issues Arising from Automobile Accidents

Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic thing to go through. Despite the laws and safety precautions that have been put into place for the roadway, studies show that car accident injuries still contribute to thousands of deaths across the nation annually. The occurrence of traffic accidents cannot be avoided altogether, as it is ultimately up to each driver independently to operate their vehicle in a safe manner. We cannot control how other people drive. Most vehicle collisions are preventable, but when they do happen, it can result in severe injury and tragic loss. Here are some of the most common medical complications that happen from car accidents: 

Brain Injury

Car accidents contribute to hundreds of thousands of traumatic brain injury cases each year. Due to the sudden impact of a car collision, the brain can get injured in many ways, and complications can entail brain contusions, penetrating injuries, and coup-contrecoup. The head may get rapidly jolted around, causing the brain to hit against the inside of the skull. The severity of a brain injury can range from mild to critical. A brain injury can impair someone’s sensations, memories, and movement. These types of injuries can also affect someone’s behavior, personality, and moods. 

Spinal Cord Damage

Based on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), car accidents are the cause of almost 40% of spinal cord injury cases. Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete loss of function of the body and organs below the injury site. Patients may find that they are unable to control their bladder or bowel movements, and may experience paralysis of their legs and arms. As someone with a spinal cord injury, you may need supportive care and equipment to help you. This means that your settlement amount should include current and future medical expenses.

Rib Fractures

The ribs have a dozen pairs of bones that protect vital organs such as the lungs, heart, and parts of the spleen and liver. Ribs are more fragile than you may think and can easily break from the force of impact during a car wreck. Rib fractures can cause a situation to become life-threatening, and can affect the soft organs that are enclosed. The jagged edge of a fractured rib can puncture the heart or lungs if not immobilized properly. If you suspect that you or a loved one has sustained an injury to the chest and rib area, then immediate medical attention must be sought. 

There are many more complications that can result from car accidents, and anyone who has been in an accident should get medical attention right away. As a car accident attorney would forewarn, by delaying medical care, it could make the condition worsen and cost you your life.