Car accidents are jarring events. They often leave victims stunned and can impact the human body. Injuries can range in severity, with some individuals walking away from the crash with minor scrapes and bruises, while others might have to deal with long-term implications.
In the Palmetto State, collisions with injuries occur every 14.4 minutes, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. At The Solomon Law Group, LLC, we have seen the devastating outcomes of many of these car accidents.
Below, we’ll explore the impact of a car accident on your body, along with the long-term outlook for crash victims.
Immediate Effects Crashes Leave Behind
The body responds with an immediate adrenaline rush when a car accident occurs. Sometimes, that can heighten a person’s senses and temporarily numb pain. You might experience:
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Shaking
However, other symptoms could develop once the initial shock wears off. They can include headaches, muscle soreness, dizziness, and nausea. Whether you have injuries or not, make sure to seek medical help. Some injuries are immediately present, while others might not appear until hours or days later.
Common Injuries Associated With Car Wrecks
These sudden, jarring events cause consequences for the human body. Bruises and contusions are common, especially if your body collides with objects within the car during the impact. Also, seat belt-related injuries are also prevalent. The belt often causes bruises and contusions on the chest, shoulders, and abdomen against the impact that moves your body.
Broken bones are also typical in car crashes. Many people will suffer fractures of the ribs, arms, and legs. Broken glass or sharp metal can cause deep cuts and bleeding that require immediate attention. Sometimes, these injuries can cause tissue damage, leading to scarring.
Whiplash can commonly occur during a car accident. When the neck experiences rapid backward and forward movement, that can result in neck pain and stiffness. Sometimes, the pain is mild, but there are cases when someone experiences a severe form of whiplash. Often, it takes weeks or even months to recover from this injury.
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are another concern if you have a sudden jolt or blow to the head. After an accident, you might feel dizziness, confusion, and memory problems. Even a minor injury to the head can have long-lasting effects, and it could be dangerous. Make sure to have all blows to the head thoroughly examined by a medical professional.
Internal bleeding can be life-threatening. While it may not be immediately apparent, always get a medical evaluation immediately. You could have bleeding or internal organ damage. Even if you did not have a direct impact on the body, just the force of the accident could lead to serious medical issues. Abdominal pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath are a few signs of internal bleeding or organ damage.
Sudden impacts of the collisions can damage the spine and nervous system. The abrupt stop or change in direction can throw the spinal column out of alignment. In turn, someone could experience compression fractures, disc herniations, or even paralysis. These injuries result in chronic pain, loss of mobility, and a decrease in overall quality of life.
While these injuries have some physical effects, there are also psychological consequences. The emotional impact of an accident can be devastating. Many times, it leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
The Long-Term Outlook for Crash Victims
Some of the physical effects may include chronic pain, which can impact a person’s daily life. Injuries sustained in these incidents may also result in limited mobility or even paralysis. Due to these injuries, the person may not be able to return to work or perform routine tasks.
Additionally, there may be a permanent reminder of the accident. For example, internal injuries often have long-term health complications, while deep cuts and burns leave scars that may last a lifetime. In some cases, severe injuries may require amputation of the legs, arms, or hands.
The emotional trauma cannot be understated. Victims may experience issues with persistent anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks related to the accident. With that, they may lose confidence, especially when driving or being in a vehicle after the accident.
All of these physical and emotional injuries can have a great impact on a person’s life. Often, these injuries will require substantial medical care to help a person recover and return to their everyday life.
For those who suffer devastating injury, then they need to make accommodations for a life impacted by a car accident. That means redesigning their home, needing constant medical care, or just losing income. All of these factors can put a significant burden on the person and their family, both physically, emotionally, and financially. Fortunately, accident victims have the right to seek compensation from those who were responsible for their injuries.
Car accidents have far-reaching effects. If you have been injured in a car crash due to the recklessness or neglect of other parties, you do have options. Remember, The Solomon Law Group, LLC is always available for a free consultation.
