Serious injury in a car accident can result in dismemberment, significant disfigurement, miscarriage, permanent loss of body organs, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and permanent disability.
Second or third degree burns covering 10% or more of the body and paralysis are also included in debilitating injuries. All these injuries can result in the temporary impairment that may affect the victim’s day-to-day activities. Serious injuries can even cause wrongful death.
If your car accident was caused due to the negligent actions of someone else, you may recover compensation for your financial and emotional losses.
Impact vs. Penetrating Car Accident Injuries
Fundamentally, there are two categories of injuries due to vehicle crashes.
- Impact injuries
- Penetrating injuries
Impact injuries happen when an individual’s body hits any interior part of the car after a crash. A penetrating injury can be any injury that is accompanied by cuts or scrapes. The cause of penetrating injury can be any loose objects or shattering glass lying in the car during the accident.
Common Examples Of Major Car Accident Injuries
Loss Of Limbs Or Amputation
After a vehicle accident, a victim is at risk of losing limbs such as leg, hand, arm, and fingers. Not all auto accidents cause amputations. However, the loss of limbs can lead to a psychological impact that can affect the quality of life of the accident victim.
Risks Of Serious Auto Accident: Spinal Cord Injuries And Paralysis
You may experience several types of car accidents such as minor fender benders or rear-end collisions. Sustaining serious car accident injuries may involve hefty medical bills such as paralysis and spinal cord injuries.
Our central nervous system works in connection with the spinal cord and the brain. The spinal cord helps in the transmission of signals to the body and back again. To enhance cognitive and physical functioning, it is vital to maintain spinal cord health. When you sustain a serious spinal cord injury, the after-effects can be devastating.
Some of the spinal areas that are at risk of injury after a car collision are vertebrae, spinal cord discs, and ligaments. Furthermore, the victim’s strength can also be affected.
Car Collisions Leading To Severe Head Injuries
The third serious injury after a car crash is a head injury. It can have a lifelong impact on the life of a victim. Sometimes, a head injury may require surgeries and other rehabilitation therapies to recover from such traumatic damage.
Minor Injuries Resulting After A Car Collision
Victims may not always sustain severe injuries after a car crash. Sometimes, there can be minor injuries such as
- Whiplash;
- Scrapes;
- Cuts;
- Bruises;
- Fractures or broken bones;
- Soft tissue injuries.
Even if you sustain minor or major injuries due to vehicle crashes, you should seek medical care. Otherwise, the injuries might worsen. It will also help you in the filing of an accident claim. Insurance companies may try to deny your claim or reduce your claim. However, if you have medical records it will make your claim strong.
What Will Happen If Your Injuries Do Not Meet The Serious Injury Threshold?
If the injuries do not meet the threshold, the accident victim can still file an accident claim and pursue benefits through the insurance provider. The serious injury threshold provides the accident victim an opportunity to seek compensation through litigation. They can pursue reimbursement for their losses even if they are outside of the state’s no-fault insurance system.
When victims sustain catastrophic injuries after a car crash, they have the right to file an injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. A lawsuit will help victims recover expenses for medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, mental anguish, disabilities, emotional stress, pain, and suffering.
What Evidence Is Necessary To Meet The Serious Injury Threshold?
Providing evidence is vital to prove that you meet the tort threshold. Furthermore, it will help you qualify for non-economic damages in your injury case. Some of the evidence may include
- Medical records or testimony of the doctor;
- Police reports;
- Any service-related receipts;
- Witness contact information;
- Pictures of the accident scene.
Moreover, you need to keep a record of all the days you missed work due to serious car accident injuries. You can use this record to estimate the lost wages. You need to preserve each letter or email whenever you file a claim. It will also help in negotiating with the insurance company when they approach you to know the severity of your injuries due to car accidents.
Are You A Victim Of Negligent Driving Behavior? Contact Us.
If you are having a difficult time with insurance carriers, you can seek assistance from our fort myers personal injury lawyers. They will guide you at every step of the process. Contact us by filling out our contact form or call us at 800-572-3753 to schedule a free case consultation.