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- Accidents on I-10, I-17, or U.S. Route 60
- Valley Metro accidents
- Swimming pool and splash pad injuries
- Boating accidents on Saguaro Lake or Canyon Lake
- Bikeway or bike lane accidents
The Nature of Injuries
A victim of a motor vehicle accident or any other accident or traumatic event can suffer a wide range of injuries depending on the force of impact, the circumstances of the accident, and other factors. Broadly speaking, doctors might diagnose injuries by impact injuries and penetrating injuries. While impact injuries occur when an object hits the body or the body hits the ground or another type of surface, penetrating injuries happen when an object penetrates the victim’s body and causes trauma. Regardless of the type or classification of your injury, you can still suffer lifelong and costly effects, including persisting symptoms that affect your life in many ways. You might have the right to seek compensation for your costs and effects by pursuing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Consider contacting a Phoenix personal injury lawyer to review your particular situation and discuss your legal options.Different Types of Injuries
Many types of injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident, on-the-job driving accident, violent act, slip and fall accident, or another traumatic event may not have immediate symptoms. For this reason, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if it seems that you do not have serious injuries. Some of the most common types of injuries suffered by victims include:- Scrapes, lacerations, and cuts. People may suffer scrapes, cuts, and lacerations, which are mostly minor injuries. However, these injuries can be severe and may cause permanent scarring or disfigurement. In car accidents, glass and metal can cause deep cuts and scrapes to vehicle occupants. There is also a risk of infection if the wound is not treated immediately.
- Soft-tissue injuries. These injuries involve trauma to the skin, muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Unlike fractures, soft-tissue injuries do not cause damage to the hard tissue (bones). Depending on the severity, these injuries can take a while to heal.
- Chest injuries. Chest injuries can be catastrophic and life-threatening. Trauma to the chest is commonly associated with fractured ribs and internal organ damage. In automobile accidents, a driver may suffer chest injuries from hitting the steering wheel or direct impact with the seatbelt or airbag.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs are some of the most serious injuries that occur due to a hard blow to the head or the head moving violently. Depending on the nature and severity of the TBI, a victim may experience long-term or permanent complications, including cognitive impairment, memory problems, loss of balance, and many more. Often, a traumatic brain injury does not manifest any symptoms for days or even weeks after the traumatic event. Each year, over 220,000 Americans are hospitalized due to traumatic brain injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Shoulder or neck injuries. These injuries commonly occur when a person falls or is involved in an automobile accident. Common types of shoulder and neck injuries include shoulder dislocations, neck sprains and strains, broken or fractured collarbone, nerve damage, and others. Shoulder and neck injuries are usually painful and cause a great deal of discomfort.
- Whiplash. It is the most common type of neck injury, which is commonly associated with rear-end car accidents. Whiplash occurs when the head moves violently in a back-and-forth movement, causing the ligaments and muscles in the neck to stretch beyond their capacity.
- Concussion. When a person hits their head during a collision or fall, they are likely to suffer a concussion. As a result, a victim may have difficulty remembering things or experience dizziness, confusion, foggy brain, and other symptoms. It is vital to receive prompt medical care to eliminate the risk of long-term complications.
- Sprains or strains. Strains occur when the muscles or tendons stretch or tear, while sprains stretch or tear ligaments. These injuries can occur in many accidents, including automobile accidents and falls.
- Arm and leg injuries. Both upper and lower extremities are prone to injuries in motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and other types of accidents. A victim may suffer fractures, broken bones, bruising, lacerations, sprains, strains, and other types of damage.
- Loss of a limb. One of the most catastrophic injuries is the loss of a limb. This type of injury occurs when the limb is severed or damaged badly enough to require amputation. Amputations can be traumatic or surgical. The loss of any limb is a life-altering injury. The victim may not return to work, may need to purchase prosthetics, and suffer the devastating emotional and psychological effects. According to the Amputee Coalition, there are an estimated 185,000 amputations each year in the United States.
- Spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can result in temporary or permanent paralysis. External trauma is the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries may disrupt the brain’s ability to send signals to the rest of the body, resulting in paralysis below the injury site.
- Internal injuries. Damage to internal organs can be fatal. Often, internal injuries, including internal bleeding, go unnoticed following the traumatic event. The victim may not experience symptoms for hours or days after the accident, which is why receiving immediate medical attention following the traumatic event is critical.
- Burn injuries. Accident victims may suffer burn injuries due to exposure to heat, fire, toxic chemicals, or electricity. Severe burns may result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. These injuries cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.
- Broken bones. People in motor vehicle accidents and other traumatic events may break their legs, arms, ribs, collarbones, femurs, and other bones in the body. It can take several years for a broken bone to heal. Some victims may require surgery.
- Scarring. Scarring occurs more often than people realize, particularly in motor vehicle accidents. Lacerations, deep cuts, burns, and other types of scarring may require stitches and other forms of urgent medical care. However, there is the risk of permanent scarring. Facial scarring can entitle the victim to seek compensation for “disfigurement” because facial scars can affect the victim’s self-esteem and quality of life.
What Are the Common Types of Emotional Injuries?
A victim of an accident may suffer physical injuries and emotional ones. Emotional trauma is invisible, unlike many physical injuries, but it can pose a significant threat to the victim’s well-being. That is why you must recognize any emotional and psychological problems you face. Ignoring these problems can make them worse. Some of the most common types of emotional trauma associated with living through an accident and/or suffering physical injuries include:- Post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about half of American adults will experience at least one major traumatic event in their lifetime. However, the lifetime prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is nearly seven percent in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of PTSD. A car accident victim who suffers from PTSD may experience persistent anxiety and feelings of uneasiness, irritability, excessive worry, sleep problems, vivid flashbacks, nightmares, and many other symptoms.
- Depression. Many accident victims develop depression after sustaining an injury. As a rule of thumb, the more severe the victim’s injuries are, the higher the risk of suffering from depression. A victim may experience depression due to their inability to be as active as they were before the accident or their inability to work and provide for their family.
- Anxiety. While everyone responds to accidents differently, many people develop an anxiety disorder. As a result, a victim with anxiety may respond to certain situations with fear, irritability, and stress. A victim may be anxious about their future or their ability to ever enjoy their life again.
- Behavioral changes. Emotional distress after the accident can result in behavioral changes. In most cases, changes in behavior may include serious underlying problems, such as a traumatic brain injury, which is why it is critical to seek immediate medical attention to diagnose your condition.
- Sleep problems. As with behavioral changes, sleep problems may be a sign of major deterioration of physical health or a condition that was not diagnosed properly. As a result, a victim may experience insomnia or may have difficulties with falling asleep.
- Phobias. It is not uncommon for accident victims to develop phobias. For example, victims of motor vehicle accidents may develop vehophobia, which is the fear of driving. The phobia alone can change the victim’s life dramatically.
- Mood swings
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and social events
- Embarrassment
- Humiliation
- Guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
Why Should You Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Different Types of Injuries?
Abels & Annes 100 N LaSalle St #1710 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 924-7575
David Abels
Partner
David Abels has carved a niche for himself in the personal injury law sector, dedicating a substantial part of his career since 1997 to representing victims of various accidents. With a law practice that spans over two decades, his expertise has been consistently recognized within the legal community.
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