Catastrophic Injuries Caused By A Car Accident
Car accidents are leading causes for both traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage, which may lead to life-long damage.
Whether Connecticut motorists are victims of minor fender benders or serious multivehicle collisions, they run the risk of becoming injured. Some injuries, like broken bones, lacerations, amputations and spinal cord damage, may be immediately apparent. There are other injuries, however, that may not appear for several days following the initial collision. Although the symptoms may be delayed, the actual injuries themselves can be severe, and may have devastating results for the injured victims of a car accident.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Otherwise referred to as whiplash or concussion, traumatic brain injuries can cause extensive cognitive impairment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, auto accidents are the third leading cause of injuries involving TBI and the second leading cause of TBI-related deaths in the U.S. The sudden impact from an accident can cause a person’s head to smack against the dashboard, side window or back of the seat. This forceful blow may damage the brain’s soft tissue as it hits into the hard bony interior of the skull.
Depending on the victim’s unique physiological response, the area that was injured and the severity of the blow, the victim may show signs of brain trauma right away. Others might appear fine until the gradual swelling of the brain causes excess pressure in the skull cavity over the course of the next few days. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms might include serious headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures, trouble focusing, tingling in the extremities, dizziness and muscle weakness. People with traumatic brain injuries may have vision, hearing and other sensory problems as well. While people with mild TBI may fully recover from their injuries, people with more serious cases may have lifelong cognitive difficulties.
Spinal Cord Damage
If the sudden impact occurs further down on the body, the ligaments, disks or vertebrae of the spinal column or the spinal cord may be affected. A broken vertebrae, slipped disk or pulled ligament could pinch a nearby nerve and cause severe pain. In cases where the spinal cord becomes severed, the accident victim may lose use of his or her arms and/or legs. According to the Mayo Clinic, car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord damage in the nation.
In a split-second, your life can change because of another driver’s negligent and reckless behavior. It may seem unfair that you have to live with a catastrophic injury, mounting medical bills and are unable to work because of someone else’s bad decision. An attorney in Connecticut who understands personal injury cases may be able to answer any questions you have regarding the specific details of your case. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A lawyer may be helpful in walking you through the legal process.
Contact Williams, Walsh & O'Connor, & , LLC, in New Haven for a free consultation about an injury.