7 Common Injuries Clearwater Car Accident Victims Sustain
In recent years, Clearwater roads have seen a lot of car accidents. Traffic deaths have increased steadily from 2018 to 2021, but they decreased in 2022 to 3434 from 3741.
However, this does not mean that the roads are safe for drivers and passengers. In fact, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 15,532 total accidents and 120 fatal crashes in Clearwater in 2022.
Car accidents can result in minor to life-threatening injuries. If you’ve been injured, then it is better to consult Clearwater car accident attorneys to take legal action and get compensation.
This article is going to discuss seven common injuries victims of car accidents sustain.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Internal Bleeding
Broken Bones
Traumatic Brain Injury
Cuts and Bruises
Spinal Cord Injury
Knee Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are one of the most common types of injuries in car accidents. It affects the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves of the body. Here are the common soft tissue injuries:
Strains
Sprains
Tears
Contusions
These injuries cause swelling, pain, reduced mobility, and stiffness. They can also increase the risk of inflammation and infection.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a serious injury. The victim will initially experience bruising and swelling. The following are some of the symptoms of internal bleeding:
Clammy skin
Loss of consciousness
Excess thirst
Keep in mind that internal bleeding can also cause death when the victim fails to get proper medical care.
Broken Bones
Broken bones occur when the bones of the body are fractured or cracked due to trauma. The collarbone, ribs, leg, arm, skull, and pelvis are some areas that are prone to fractures.
Symptoms of broken bones:
Severe pain
Deformity
Swelling
Bruising
Bleeding
Broken bones can also damage the surrounding organs, tissues, and blood vessels. If you experience any broken bones, then it is necessary to visit a doctor immediately.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are fatal injuries that occur when the brain is damaged as a result of sudden jolts. Traumatic brain injury can be mild to severe, depending on the location and severity of the brain damage. Hematoma, contusion, concussion, and diffuse axonal injury are some types of TBIs.
Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury:
Nausea
Drowsiness
Slurred Speech
Headache
Vomiting
Seizures
Contusions
TBIs can also affect the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social functions of the brain, such as mood, judgment, attention, memory, reasoning, and personality.
Cuts and Bruises
The blunt or sharp objects in a car can damage the underlying tissues or skin. This leads to bruises and cuts.
Bruises are wounds that cause bleeding under the skin, whereas cuts are wounds that break the skin. Some of the common causes of cuts and bruises are metal, glass, airbags, steering wheels, and seat belts.
Symptoms of cuts and bruises:
Bleeding
Pain
Infection
Discoloration
They can also impair the function of the affected area or leave a scar.
Spinal Cord Injury
Many victims experience spinal cord injuries in a car accident. The spinal cord is a set of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of your body. It controls the sensation, movement, and function of the organs and limbs. Tetraplegia, quadriplegia, and paraplegia are the most common types of spinal cord injuries.
Symptoms of a spinal cord injury:
Reflexes
Movement
Loss of Sensation
Bladder and Bowel Control
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are common in a car accident. When a car accident occurs, the individual’s knees are prone to hitting the hard surfaces of the dashboard, the car door, or the steering wheel. It causes an injury to the knee. Here are the common types of knee injuries that occur in car accidents:
Knee Dislocation
Patella Fracture
Medial Collateral Ligament Injury -- including the complex tear of medial meniscus
Torn Meniscus
Final Thoughts
If you have been involved in a car crash, then it is important to get medical care immediately to find out whether you may have sustained the above injuries. Reach out to a lawyer today and find out what your options are.
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