No one wants to think about the possibility that the next time they get into the car, they will be involved in an accident. Nevertheless, accidents occur all too frequently, and they are almost always preventable. Someone’s careless decision or moment of distraction can mean days or weeks of pain and suffering for you. It may even leave you grieving over the loss of a loved one.
You can never really prepare for the aftermath of a collision. The kinds of injuries accident victims suffer vary depending on so many factors. Nevertheless, emergency responders and medical teams know what to expect when responding to an accident.
A moment can change your life
You hope you will be fortunate to escape unharmed or with only minor injuries after a crash. This is not always possible. Even a minor collision may result in physical trauma, including broken bones, cuts that need stitches or torn ligaments that restrict your mobility while you recover. An especially violent accident can cause catastrophic injuries, including any of the following:
- Damage to your internal organs: While the spleen is the internal organ most often injured, any of your organs may suffer damage that can lead to internal bleeding and lifelong complications.
- Back and neck injuries: Whiplash is a side effect of any jarring motion, but a motor vehicle accident also places you at risk of injury to your spinal cord that can mean partial or total paralysis.
- Chest injuries: A blow to the chest may break rib bones, placing your heart and lungs in jeopardy or damaging those organs in other ways.
- Head trauma: Striking your head or any violent movement may cause injury to the brain, which can leave you with permanent physical or cognitive disabilities.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: An especially traumatic accident, such as one in which you lose a loved one or witness catastrophic wounds, may leave you with psychological injuries that complicate your life in many ways.
In fact, you should not discount the impact psychological trauma can have on your life, your ability to work and your functional capacity. Symptoms of psychological trauma do not always appear at once, but when they do, you will want to seek help to deal with them.
Any of the treatments you would require following a motor vehicle accident can result in devastating medical bills beyond what your insurer will pay. This is why many in Florida find it helpful to reach out to an attorney for candid advice about the possibility of seeking compensation through the civil courts.