Motor vehicle collisions remain a leading cause of injury and death both globally and in New Jersey. Accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to life-threatening conditions. Understanding the most common injuries in car accidents can help you recognize their severity and take the necessary steps to protect your health and legal rights. Partnering with an experienced NJ car accident attorney can ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents often result in injuries caused by blunt force trauma, penetrating trauma, and environmental factors. Let us look closer at the different types of motor vehicle accident injuries we commonly see.
Minor to Moderate Injuries
Some minor to moderate injuries include the following:
- Whiplash. Sudden force during a collision can strain the neck’s soft tissues, causing stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility. Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions and often requires physical therapy.
- Cuts and lacerations. Shattered glass or debris can cause superficial or deep cuts. While minor wounds may heal quickly, deeper lacerations often require stitches and leave permanent scars.
- Contusions and bruising. Blunt force impact from seat belts or airbags can result in painful bruising. While these injuries usually heal on their own, severe bruising may signal underlying damage to internal organs.
Even minor injuries can disrupt your daily life and incur medical expenses. Attorneys can help ensure that your claim fully accounts for these costs.
Severe and Life-Threatening Injuries
Some of the more severe and life-threatening injuries that can occur in a car accident include:
- Head and brain injuries. Head injuries are among the most common injuries in car accidents and often the most severe. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from skull fractures, hemorrhages, or lacerations of the brain tissue and cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, or permanent disability.
- Spinal cord injuries. Extreme force during a collision can cause vertebral fractures, spinal cord damage, or dislocations. The atlanto-occipital joint is particularly vulnerable, and damage in this area may lead to paralysis.
- Blunt chest trauma. Impact on the dashboard or steering wheel often leads to rib fractures, lung injuries, or damage to major blood vessels. Severe chest trauma may result in heart lacerations or aortic rupture.
Severe injuries often require extensive medical care and long-term rehabilitation. An experienced attorney can help you recover compensation for these significant costs and pain and suffering.
Fatal Injuries
Finally, fatal injuries often involve the following circumstances:
- Incineration and toxicity. Fires resulting from accidents can cause burns, inhalation injuries, or carbon monoxide poisoning. These injuries are life-threatening and require immediate care.
- Asphyxia. Restricted oxygen caused by chest compression or other factors can lead to suffocation, which is usually fatal.
- Drowning. In accidents involving bodies of water, victims may become trapped in submerged vehicles, leading to drowning.
Fatal injuries devastate families emotionally and financially. In such cases, attorneys can file wrongful death claims to seek justice and compensation on behalf of surviving family members.
How Attorneys Can Help with Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
The aftermath of a car accident is often overwhelming, especially when injuries are severe. Attorneys play a crucial role in protecting your rights and getting you the compensation you deserve by:
- Gathering evidence—attorneys collect medical records, accident reports, and witness statements to build a strong case;
- Negotiating with insurers—an attorney can advocate for fair compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering; and
- Representing you in court—if you cannot reach a settlement, your attorney will fight for you in court to secure a favorable outcome.
Partnering with an attorney ensures you have a knowledgeable advocate, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Have You Been Injured in a NJ Car Accident?
If you were recently hurt in a car accident in New Jersey, you may have a legal claim for monetary damages against the at-fault party. If successful, your claim could result in compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and noneconomic damages. However, do not expect the insurance company to offer fair compensation willingly. At Petro Cohen, we have decades of experience aggressively advocating for New Jersey accident victims and look forward to learning how we can help with your case. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach our New Jersey car accident attorney by completing our secure online contact form.
Loading...