A person who’s involved in a motor vehicle crash may suffer serious injuries. In some cases, they can be life-altering. Getting swift and adequate medical care is a priority when crash-related harm of any kind occurs.
It can benefit everyone to understand the basic profile of a few of the more catastrophic injuries that can happen so they have a better idea if they need urgent medical care in the event that they’re ever involved in a wreck.
Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can include everything from mild concussions to severe brain damage. These injuries occur when the head hits an object, or when an something pierces through the skull and into the brain itself. The long-term impact of TBIs can be profound. They can affect cognitive function, motor skills, emotion and behavior.
Broken bones
Broken bones frequently result from the force on the body during a motor vehicle crash. The most common fractures include ribs, arms, legs and hips. The severity can vary widely, from simple fractures that may heal with casting, to complex breaks that require surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the bone fragments.
Severe burns
Severe burns can occur in motor vehicle crashes, especially in collisions that lead to fires. These injuries are extremely painful and pose a high risk of infection and long-term physical and psychological challenges. Burn injuries are classified by their depth, with third-degree burns being the most severe, affecting all layers of the skin and possibly the tissues underneath.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries result from damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. These injuries can cause changes in body functions below the site of the injury. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries, which can result in paralysis.
Traumatic amputations
Traumatic amputations are characterized by the sudden loss of a limb or other body part during a motor vehicle crash. These injuries can result from the extreme force exerted in a collision or can occur as a surgical procedure to save a person’s life if a limb is severely damaged.
Victims of any of these injuries resulting from a motor vehicle crash caused by another’s negligence may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help cover the costs. This is a time-sensitive matter, so seeking the assistance of a legal representative is beneficial.
