All serious car accident injuries have one thing in common: they change your life. The days and weeks after the injury become a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, medications, pain, and missed plans. Emotions run high. You may feel confused about what happened, scared that it will happen again, angry with those who caused the accident, bewildered about all the new medical information you’re expected to learn, frustrated with the insurance company or doctors, and fearful about whether you’ll be able to go back to work and support your loved ones.
Help is available. At Burch Law Firm, our attorneys have been serving the New Braunfels community for over 25 years. We’re dedicated to helping injured neighbors get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives after a serious accident. Contact us today to learn more during a free claim review.
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Common types of car accident injuries include:
- Brain, Face and Head Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the head strikes or is struck by an object with great force. The most well-known type of TBI is a concussion, in which the brain becomes bruised by the force of a blow. Even a mild brain injury can cause lingering problems with pain, nausea, dizziness, attention, mood, memory, and coordination. Moderate or severe injuries that involve bruising, bleeding, swelling, or penetration of the brain can result in permanent paralysis, motor problems, and other lifelong difficulties. The most severe brain injuries are fatal. - Neck and Back Injuries
The most common neck injury in a car accident is whiplash, which is a soft tissue injury that damages the internal structures of the neck. Whiplash usually occurs in a car crash when the driver or passenger is thrown forward and then backward on impact. Severe injuries, like cervical spinal dislocation or disc injury, can also occur in this situation.Lower back injuries can also occur in a car accident. Strains and sprains, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae may all result from the impact of an accident, causing severe pain and limited mobility.Injury to any part of the back or neck may take a few days to become fully apparent, as bruising and swelling develop after the accident. It is important to keep track of your symptoms and to return to your doctor if new symptoms appear. - Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the toughest and most expensive injuries to treat. Displaced bone fragments, discs, or ligaments can bruise, scratch, or cut the spinal cord, destroying the nerve cells that carry signals between the brain and the rest of the body. With this “information superhighway” out of commission, paralysis, organ malfunction, and other permanent disabilities can result. - Internal Injuries and Bleeding
The internal organs are protected in some ways by the muscles, bones, and other body tissues. The impact of a car crash, however, can have a severe and debilitating impact on these organs. Fractured bones may tear or puncture the organs, leading to internal bleeding or other life-threatening conditions. If they are not treated immediately, internal injuries can lead to death. - Psychological Injuries
Trauma is the brain’s protective response to an abnormal, life-threatening event. Short-term emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia are common in just about any type of serious accident. For some people, these symptoms persist despite the person’s best attempts to treat and manage them. Psychological injuries are every bit as real as physical injuries, and they can be every bit as debilitating.
I’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident. What Should I Do?
In the days and weeks following your car accident, how you handle your injury plays a crucial role in how well you heal and how promising the outcome will be. Here are several steps to take when addressing your injury after an accident:
- See a doctor as soon as possible.
Immediately after an accident, call 911 if you suspect you or anyone else was injured. If you did not receive medical attention immediately after the accident, do so as soon as you can. Your doctor can establish a baseline for your condition after the accident, allowing medical professionals to better track the ways in which your condition improves or deteriorates and provide the appropriate care. - Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Keep all follow-up appointments or appointments with specialists. If the pain from your injury makes you unable to go to an appointment, be sure to let the office know that when you cancel. If your doctor prescribes medication or the use of a medical device like a brace, follow the instructions for using these items precisely. In physical therapy, do your best to keep up with your exercises. Following these steps can help you reach the best possible outcome after your accident.… - But don’t be afraid to speak up if something seems wrong.
If your medication is causing bothersome side effects or you are having more severe symptoms or new symptoms, let your doctor know as soon as possible. The full extent of damage done after a car accident is not always obvious in the first few days. Have new symptoms checked out as soon as you can.
Call Our New Braunfels Car Accident Lawyers Today
Burch Law Firm has deep ties to the New Braunfels community. We work hard not only to represent clients, but also to make our community a better place.
When it comes to representing those who have been injured in car accidents, we take a hands-on approach. From your very first meeting with our law firm you will speak directly to our lawyers. If you need to see us during an evening, on a weekend, or in the hospital or at home, we will set up the appointment with you. And while we work hard to secure a full and fair settlement for you as quickly as we can, we also prepare to represent you in court if needed.
For a free and confidential consultation, call us today or fill out our online contact form if it is more convenient for you.
