If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, it’s imperative that you contact and retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after you’ve received medical attention.
Injuries from car accidents can have serious and lasting effects. Having an experienced attorney represent you in court can mean the difference between a positive outcome and a struggle to get compensated for your injuries.
What Are the Most Common Injuries A Person Can Sustain in Car Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over three million people are injured in accidents in the United States. In 2018, 134,285 accidents were reported on public roads and 33,914 people were injured in Kentucky alone.
Two broad categories of injuries are caused by car accidents: impact injuries and penetrating injuries.
- Impact injuries usually are caused when a part of your body hits some part of the interior of the car, like a knee to the dashboard or your head hitting a window.
- Penetrating injuries are typically caused by shattered glass or loose flying objects inside the car.
Soft tissue injuries are neither impact nor penetrating injuries. They are damage to the body’s connective tissue – muscles, ligaments and tendons – caused by the sudden movement in a collision. The most common of these is whiplash, where muscles and ligaments in the neck are stretched. This same mechanism can cause mid- and low-back sprains and sometimes even more serious back injuries as well as cause chronic headaches.
Scrapes and cuts are common because any loose objects in the car become projectiles, including coffee mugs, eyeglasses, handbags, books, mobile phones and others. If your airbag deploys, it can cause cuts and scrapes.
Head injuries can take different forms. Soft tissue injuries are common, but your head itself can become injured from impact with parts of the car or flying objects.
Chest injuries are very common, partially due to airbag deployment or the seatbelt harness, and they can include simple bruises and contusions but also broken ribs or internal injuries.
Arm and leg injuries can occur as well, from hitting the dashboard, being thrown against a door or from flying objects.
These injuries often worsen over time and the full extent of each injury isn’t always seen right after the accident.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Car Accident?
It’s important to keep in mind that some injuries aren’t immediately apparent. It could take weeks or months for symptoms to appear, depending on the nature of the injury. This could create high medical bills and lost wages, not to mention pain and suffering.
Take the steps to protect yourself and your interests. If you are not physically able, keep this list handy so loved ones know what to do:
- Check for injuries and call 911. Don’t let the other driver talk you out of it. Let the dispatcher know if there are any injuries (or suspected injuries) and any dangers at the scene like leaking fuel.
- Never admit fault, even if you think you made a mistake. You don’t have all the facts, including what happened with the other driver, so you don’t know everything that contributed to the accident.
- Seek immediate medical treatment. This can’t be emphasized enough. You may have an internal injury you don’t even know about. Never refuse medical treatment at the scene, and go to the hospital if it’s suggested by medical personnel.
- If you aren’t taken directly to a hospital, you have to get medical attention ASAP, preferably the same day. If you can’t see your own doctor, visit the emergency room or an urgent care center. Refusing or delaying medical treatment can seriously undermine your injury claim.
- Gather evidence. Take photos and videos of the vehicles and your injuries. Use your mobile phone to record any statements from the other driver, such as, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.” And be sure to talk to any witnesses and make sure you write down their names, addresses and other contact information.
- Notify your auto insurance company.
The next step would be to contact the other driver’s insurance company, which can be a daunting experience. If you’re severely injured or just not up to dealing with the other driver’s insurance company, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney about handling your claim from start to finish.
Trust McCoy & Sparks – Premier Personal Injury Attorneys of Nelson County
Recognized as Nelson County’s best law firm for over a decade and counting, McCoy & Sparks works to help people in trouble, representing thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results. Regardless of the type of case, our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs, then draw upon our courtroom skills to help you reach the best possible result. We start by getting to know you. Next, we will explain all your options, giving you the pros and cons of each choice so that you will be empowered to make informed decisions. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to 1-888-4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.