Driving is a necessity for most people in Louisiana. Whether going to work, dropping off kids at school or picking up groceries, navigating daily tasks without a car can be virtually impossible. While driving may make these tasks easier, it also puts you in danger. Getting into a car accident can permanently alter the course of your future.
In the United States, car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries. In 2020 alone, car accidents injured 4.8 million people and killed another 42,000. The aftermath is often truly devastating, leaving victims with not physical injuries that can be difficult to overcome.
Injuries to the head and back
Of all the different types of injuries you might suffer in a car accident, a head injury is the most serious. Traumatic brain injuries — TBIs — can range from mild to severe. It is not uncommon for victims to develop lasting cognitive issues or even hearing and vision problems. These injuries are often the result of smacking your head against:
- Steering wheels
- Dashboards
- Windows
Back injuries are also problematic for victims. Spinal cord damage may lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage, limiting your sensation or control over your hands, arms, feet and legs. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could even end up permanently paralyzed.
Injuries to the neck and chest
Chances are you have already heard of whiplash. Sudden movement of your neck and head — which is common in rear end collisions — may cause severe damage to your neck muscles and ligaments. Generalized swelling and pain is fairly common, but whiplash injuries can also be so severe that they cause temporary paralysis to your vocal cords.
While neck injuries are often the result of sudden and unexpected jerking movements, chest injuries are more often related to blunt force trauma. Broken ribs, collapsed lungs and damage to your internal organs are all a possibility in car accidents. These types of injuries are serious, so you should be sure to seek medical attention immediately following an accident.
Other types of car accident injuries
People tend to overlook the impact of seemingly minor injuries. When you compare injuries like broken bones and lacerations in the limbs to something like internal bleeding, they may seem trivial. However, these types of injuries not only limit your ability to work and live your life in the moment, they can also cause long-term pain and suffering that will follow you for the rest of your life.
All it takes is a single car accident to turn your life upside down. It can be especially devastating when you were driving safely, but a negligent driver hit your vehicle. While there is nothing that can undo the harm you have already suffered, it is possible to better focus on yourself and your recovery after securing compensation for your injuries via the successful actions of a personal injury lawsuit.