How Do I Know if I Have Serious Injuries After a Car Accident?

Uncontrollable bleeding, tingling, numbness, or extreme back pain can all be signs of a serious injury after a car accident. If you sustain severe bodily injury, you will likely be unable to work or take care of your family, instead being burdened by endless medical appointments and surgeries. 

Our car accident attorneys in Ventura discuss types of serious injuries in a crash and various forms of damages. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience the conditions described below. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

In a recent year, there were over 69,000 fatalities attributed to traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is caused by any strike, bump, or blow to the head that disrupts brain function. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of closed brain injuries, caused by the jostling of the brain against the bony skull, damaging delicate brain tissue. TBI symptoms may present as dizziness, confusion, changes in vision, seizures, and loss of consciousness. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is composed of a bundle of nerves encased in a tubelike structure that runs from the base of the skull down the spine, ending at the tailbone. It sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Given the violent motion of a crash, car accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury include tingling, numbness, severe back or neck pain, paralysis, and loss of bladder or bowel control. 

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury to the neck's tendons, nerves, muscles, or ligaments caused by the head being thrown backward and forward rapidly. Each year, approximately three million people experience whiplash, with an estimated 300,000 motor vehicle crashes resulting in whiplash. Given the impact force from the rear, it is a common injury in rear-end accidents. Symptoms commonly include neck pain, stiffness, tingling in the arms or shoulders, inability to move the head, and headaches. 

Abdominal Injuries

The abdominal cavity is susceptible to injury in blunt trauma, given that it lacks bony protection. Car accident victims are most vulnerable to suffering damage to the liver and spleen, which can result in profuse bleeding due to damaged blood vessels. Symptoms of an abdominal injury may include a rigid abdomen, tenderness upon palpation, fatigue, rapid heart rate, and sweating. Unfortunately, the signs of internal bleeding are not always readily apparent, which is why abdominal bleeding is often coined the “silent killer.”

Rib Fractures

Our rib cage comprises twelve ribs, each attached to the sternum (a long, flat bone in the middle of the chest). Unfortunately, the force of a motor vehicle collision can cause a broken or cracked rib. Since our rib cage expands when we breathe, a cracked rib can result in severe pain, swelling or tenderness around the affected ribs, and shortness of breath. A broken rib can potentially puncture a lung, causing air to leak in between the lung and chest wall. This can result in a collapsed lung (a condition known as a pneumothorax).

Damages

Serious injuries often result in severe costs, which can, in many cases, prevent you from reaching your financial goals. At Bamieh & De Smeth, our Ventura car accident lawyers have helped injury victims recover compensation for economic (monetary) and noneconomic (non-monetary) losses. 

Economic damages in a car accident typically involve lost income, medical expenses, and vehicle repair costs. Noneconomic damages are nontangible losses that are not easily quantifiable, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While many losses do not have an intrinsic dollar value, we firmly believe that an at-fault motorist should be held accountable for their carelessness. 

Suffer Serious Injuries? Consult with Our Ventura Car Accident Lawyers Today

A collision can change your life in a split second, forcing you to trade your surfboard for a backboard. At Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we are committed to getting you maximum compensation for your injuries.

Our no-nonsense approach allows us to obtain the entirety of damages owed to you, giving our clients the financial assistance needed during this difficult time. If you are ready to learn more, contact us online.