Common Injuries After a Car Accident
Car accidents happen every day, leading to injuries that can vary from minor scrapes to life-altering trauma in Fort Worth, Texas. If you were injured in a car accident in Fort Worth, TX, you are likely facing pain, medical bills, emotional distress, and more. While this is an undoubtedly challenging time, an experienced Fort Worth car accident injury attorney can help make this a more manageable process for you.
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. While some crashes cause minor injuries, traffic accidents are a leading cause of catastrophic injuries.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation with a Fort Worth car accident injury lawyer at (817) 420 7000.
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How Stephens Law Firm, PLLC Can Help With Common Car Accident Injuries In Fort Worth
At Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, we have over 25 years of experience helping car accident victims in Fort Worth, Texas, recover financially and emotionally. We have secured more than $100 million in compensation for clients. Our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys have been recognized as Super Lawyers, the Best Lawyers in America, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. We have also earned the Martindale – Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating and a 10.0 Avvo Rating.
Here’s what our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers can do for you:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to identify parties who may be liable
- Work with experts to strengthen your claim and assess your damages
- Handle all insurance company communications and paperwork
- Negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement agreement
- File a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Provide guidance and support throughout the claims process
Our legal team in Fort Worth, Texas, is here to help you secure the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Fort Worth car accident attorney.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are common in accidents, especially rear-end collisions. Injuries can range from sprains and strains to vertebral fractures. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries, and it occurs when the neck snaps back and forth rapidly. This sudden movement can strain neck muscles and ligaments, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Whiplash symptoms may appear hours or even days after an accident, and untreated whiplash can lead to chronic pain.
Up to 83% of people suffer whiplash from a crash. Even crashes at speeds of 5-10 mph can cause whiplash.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from a direct blow to the head or violent back-and-forth movement of the head. Symptoms range from headaches and confusion to long-term cognitive issues, behavioral problems, and impaired motor function.
Concussions are a mild form of TBI and one of the most common types of car crash injuries. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a very serious form of TBI from a crash that results in widespread damage as the brain rotates and shifts in the skull.
About 70% of traffic fatalities involve head injuries. Car accidents are the top cause of brain injuries in kids and adults under 75. About one in five TBI-related hospitalizations and 17% of TBI-related deaths are caused by crashes.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) disrupt signals between the brain and the body’s nerves. This results in a loss of function and sensation below the injury. SCIs are one of the most devastating injuries as they can cause paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia, breathing problems, and other life-changing effects.
Almost 38% of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents in people under 45.
Back Injuries
The force of impact in a car crash often leads to back injuries, including sprains and strains, herniated discs, and spinal fractures.
An injury from a crash can lead to chronic pain and painful surgical procedures. Many back injuries are challenging to treat and never heal fully, leaving many victims with long-term disability.
Broken Bones
Even a minor accident can result in fractures or broken bones.
Common fractures in a crash include:
- Collarbone
- Ribs
- Vertebrae
- Skull
- Facial fractures, including the orbital sockets, nose, and cheekbones
- Pelvis
- Legs
- Hand
- Wrist
These crashes can happen when force is transferred from the seatbelt, direct impact with a hard surface, crushing injuries, or penetrating injuries.
Chest Injuries
Chest injuries are common for drivers, as they are often caused by impact on the steering wheel. These injuries can range from bruised ribs to more serious trauma, such as fractured ribs or internal organ damage, which may require emergency medical care.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries refer to damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Examples of soft tissue injuries include:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Muscle or tendon strains
- Ligament sprains
- Torn cartilage
- Vascular trauma or damage to blood vessels
- Nerve damage
Insurance companies tend to minimize the severity of soft tissue injuries. However, these injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and other long-term effects.
Internal Injuries
The violent force of a car accident can lead to internal bleeding or damage to organs like the liver, kidneys, and spleen. These thoracic injuries can be life-threatening, especially because symptoms can be delayed. Immediate medical attention is critical to avoid complications.
Airbag Injuries
Potential airbag injuries include:
- Eye injuries such as abrasion or alkaline keratitis from chemical exposure
- Burns, including thermal, friction, and chemical burns
- Chest injuries
- Irritant dermatitis
- Fractures
- Lung injuries and respiratory problems like reactive airway disease and new-onset asthma
If you suffered injuries from a defective airbag, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Seat Belt Injuries
Like airbags, seat belts can save lives and prevent severe injuries, but they tend to cause injuries too. These injuries are caused secondary injuries and they happen when the seat belt transfers energy from the force of the crash.
About one-quarter of people in a crash who were wearing a seat belt suffer injuries to the lap and/or shoulder. Serious seat belt injuries are less common but may include sternal fractures and organ damage.
Psychological Trauma
Car accidents don’t only cause physical injuries. Many victims experience emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a crash. Symptoms may include flashbacks, sleep problems, difficulty returning to normal activities, and a fear of driving. About 28% of car accident survivors experience PTSD at 6 months post-crash.
Wrongful Death
Car accidents are a leading cause of accidental death. When someone dies due to another person’s negligence or reckless behavior, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim.
Contact Our Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a car accident in Fort Worth, TX, you don’t have to face the insurance company alone. At Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, we are prepared to fight for your rights and the full compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free case review with a Fort Worth car accident lawyer to discuss how we can help you.
