Personal Injury Attorney in Alexandria Outlines Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents are unexpected events that you cannot anticipate and no matter how safely you drive, you may still be the victim of an auto wreck caused by the negligence of another driver. Unfortunately, most crashes are caused by preventable factors. Some frequent factors that cause injury or even death in car accidents include drinking and driving, not wearing seat belts, improper child restraint use, speeding and reckless driving, falling asleep at the wheel, cell phone use and texting while driving. These poor choices and carelessness on the part of other drivers can negatively impact many lives in a matter of seconds. In fact, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury in the U.S. When you are hurt in a car or big truck wreck in Alexandria, get expert legal help from the dedicated team at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys. Auto accident injuries can have far-reaching financial, emotional and physical consequences. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys in Alexandria will work hard to get you the monetary support you need to recover. Call us at 318-443-8888 to speak to a personal injury attorney in Alexandria.

Car Accidents Are Costly and Cause Severe Damages

Injuries sustained in auto accidents can range from minor scrapes and bruises to devastating and potentially life-threatening brain and spine injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lifetime medical costs related to motor vehicle accidents totaled $18 billion in 2012. In addition, CDC estimates that Americans spend more than 1 million days in the hospital from crash-related injuries each year. Head and Neck Injuries – These can be the most serious injuries, and in the worst cases, even result in death or permanent disabilities. In automobile crashes, sudden violent movements and shaking can lead to traumatic brain injuries, bruising or bleeding. Any injury to this vital organ can be debilitating, including memory loss, mobility problems, loss of cognitive functioning. Head injuries are dangerous because they may not present immediately after the collision occurs. Sometimes a car passenger could go home thinking they are fine and succumb to a critical brain injury that was initially undetected. Vision issues, headache or dizziness are a few red flags that may indicate an injury to the brain. So, it is important to always receive a full medical evaluation following a wreck. Back and Spinal Injuries – Back injuries are some of the most common types sustained by passengers in automobile accidents. Slipped or ruptured discs, severed spinal columns, and other trauma to the back can easily happen particularly if the victim is not properly restrained by a seatbelt. This is also why seatbelt use if one of the most effective ways to prevent critical injuries. Soft Tissue Injuries – Whiplash and sprains are the result of abrupt, sharp jerking of the vehicle during an accident. These kinds of injuries not only result in acute trauma, they can also lead to chronic pain and mobility problems that may last your entire lifetime. Advanced testing such as an MRI is needed to accurately diagnose soft tissue injuries so make sure you insist on a complete medical examination by a professional after a car wreck. Fractures and Crush Injuries – Passengers of small cars or “mini” vehicles often suffer broken bones or crushed hands, legs or feet in bad car crashes due to the lack of crumple zone. Crushed limbs also tend to occur more frequently in collisions where a large commercial truck impacts a passenger vehicle.