Bodily Injuries From Car Wrecks

If you are involved in a Dallas/Fort Worth car wreck, truck wreck, or motorcycle accident, there is a good chance that you will sustain an injury. Even car accidents that occur at relatively low speeds can cause serious and often chronic injuries to everyone involved. Auto wreck injuries often range from broken bones and scars to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. While there are a variety of bodily injuries that can occur during an auto accident, motorcycle accident, or trucking accident, in general there are five main types of injuries (discussed below) that occur repeatedly. If left untreated, many of these injuries can cause serious and lifelong disabilities, pain, and suffering.

5 Common Types of Bodily Injuries from Car Wrecks

1. Back & Neck Injury

Although fractured vertebrae (the bones in your spine) can occur, the majority of the injuries that occur to the back and neck are to the delicate discs between the vertebrae. When too much pressure is placed on a disc, usually due to an accident or traumatic event, it can bulge (stick out) or herniate (burst open). This herniation or bulging disc then puts pressure on the spinal cord, causing severe pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness in the extremities, which can then radiate to other parts of the body, such as the legs, arms, hands, or shoulders.

Bulging discs and herniated discs are commonly found in the lower back (lumbar area) or the neck (cervical area) and can take days and even weeks to become apparent. In order to effectively diagnose a bulged or herniated disk, an MRI is usually required. At Tate Law Offices, we understand how painful and traumatic a bulging or herniated disc can be. As such, we make every effort to help you obtain an MRI from a qualified orthopedic doctor. In addition, we will negotiate with your insurance companies to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you need to fully recover.

2. Spinal Cord Injury

One of the worst injuries a victim of a car wreck or accident can receive is a traumatic injury or damage to the spinal cord. If this occurs, the car crash victim can  experience partial or complete loss of function and sensation below the injured area. The higher the injury to the spinal cord, the more severe the loss of functioning may be. This type of injury can cause quadriplegia (tetraplegia) or paraplegia. A car wreck victim who suffers this type of injury may require the use of a wheelchair, 24 hour care, and may spend years in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. In addition, spinal cord victims are often times unable to resume their jobs, lifestyles, and hobbies. Since this injury is considered a complete life-altering injury, spinal cord victims are entitled to compensation for their injuries and for future medical expenses, which can be considerable. The accident lawyers at Tate Law Offices can help you maximize your case value and obtain the money you need to take care of yourself and your family.

3. Head Injury or Traumatic Brain Injury

If you have sustained an injury to your head during a Dallas or Fort Worth auto accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Prompt medical attention is the best way to prevent serious and life-threatening brain injuries from causing permanent brain damage. Head injuries (also known as traumatic brain injuries) are very dangerous and can be fatal . During a vehicle collision , the severe forces of the accident can cause the brain to move inside of the skull, causing tissue tears, bleeding, and swelling. As the swelling increases inside of the skull, it begins to cut off the oxygen supply to vital portions of the brain—causing irreparable brain damage.

After an accident, the most common types of head injuries are:

• Concussions— jarring injury to the brain
• Contusions—bruises on the brain
• Skull fractures—cracks or breaks in the skull
• Hematomas—bleeding in the brain

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident or has experienced a blow to the head, it is important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of a head injury. If they are caught early head injuries can be treated successfully. If they are not diagnosed and treated quickly, the victim is at risk for irreparable brain damage and even death. Some of the symptoms of a head injury include:

• Loss of consciousness after the impact or shortly thereafter
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Vision changes
• Nausea
• Drainage of fluid from the ears and/or nose
• Changes in behavior
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness in the arms and/or legs
• Trouble walking or speaking
• Ringing in the ears

If you recognize any of these symptoms after a accident or trauma, it is important to see a doctor immediately. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be required to diagnose a traumatic brain injury.

4. Shoulder Injury

The majority of shoulder injuries are to the rotator cuff and this injury can be both painful and debilitating. The rotator cuff is made up of 4 major muscles and tendons that work together to ensure full range of motion. Although muscle tears can occur, injuries to the rotator cuff are usually partial or complete tendon injuries. During a car wreck the shoulder can be injured from:

• The force from the seat belt
• Holding onto the steering wheel
• Direct impact or blow

If you or a loved one has sustained a shoulder injury in a collision, surgery and/or physical therapy is often needed. As such, the personal injury lawyers at Tate Law Offices will help you see the right doctor, obtain financial compensation for your injuries, and ensure that you receive all the treatment you need to fully recover.

5. Knee Injury

An injury to the knee during a car wreck is often referred to as “dashboard knee”, simply because the injury is usually caused when the bent knee gets slammed into something inside the car such as the dashboard. When this occurs, a variety of injuries can occur, such as chondromalacia of the patella, or damage to the cartilage under your kneecap. The symptoms of this are an achy pain in the front of your knee, pain when you walk or kneel, or a grinding sensation in the knee.

Other common knee injuries in auto wrecks include tears or ruptures of the ACL, MCL, LCL, or PCL ligaments. These knee injuries can cause significant pain and a loss of stability in the knee, and if left untreated can quickly become a chronic and lifelong injury. Victims with lifelong knee injuries experience pain and discomfort on a daily basis and are often robbed of the activities and hobbies they enjoy the most.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, truck wreck, or motorcycle accident, call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Tate Law Offices immediately at 888-223-3461. In most cases, we can add tremendous value to your personal injury claim so you can focus your energy on your recovery.