Any motorist that drives through Fresno during rush hour should be very familiar with the fact that it can be a trying ordeal, and sometimes dangerous. Reckless driving, especially in heavy traffic, can create treacherous driving conditions. Reckless driving can lead to serious car accident injuries that can be life changing and, in some cases, permanent.
Driver recklessness can lead to car accidents
These days there are a significant amount of vehicles on the roadway, when you combine that with distracted drivers and/or reckless driving the probability of an accident increases. Typically, car accidents can cause more than just minor damage and injuries. Car accidents can be so severe that serious bodily injury or death can occur. In certain situations, these accidents can be directly linked to driver carelessness, negligence, or recklessness. Injuries from car accidents can involve a variety of very serious conditions, including, but not limited to:
Internal Injuries
Severe car accidents can cause injury to internal organs when the force of the accident causes the body to collide with another object, such as the steering wheel. However, internal injuries can also result from being hit by flying debris from outside or inside the vehicle. Because of the severity of internal injuries they must be treated immediately to help minimize the risk of death.
Lacerations
Lacerations and cuts can occur from being struck by flying objects, sheet metal, and broken glass which can easily penetrate the vehicle during an accident and cause injury. While some cuts may be minor enough to be treated with stitches or bandages, deep lacerations may require surgery to repair and prevent extensive blood loss. Victims of car accidents may also face cosmetic damage such as scarring caused by cuts and may require additional surgery to minimize the visibility of scars, especially those that are more visible on areas such as the neck and face.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussion
Car accidents can lead to a serious blow to the crash victim’s head which can lead to brain swelling. When the swelling of the brain is severe it can lead to permanent injury. If the victim of a car accident is hit in the head it is extremely important that the responding paramedics be made aware of that fact. It is not uncommon for swelling to begin at the site of the accident even if the injured party does not feel the effects or does not exhibit symptoms right away. Immediate attention and treatment is the best course of action to help minimize any potential problem, including death, which can be caused by a traumatic head injury.
Neck and Back Injury
One of the most common injuries involved in car accidents is known as whiplash, which is caused by the motion of the head and neck moving outside of its normal range. Whiplash is typically caused by the force of the collision and the unnatural movement can lead to strained tendons, muscles, and ligaments which can cause extreme pain and discomfort.
Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injuries can lead to a loss of movement or sensation and typically involve severe pain. Because of the nature of spinal cord injuries they can create temporary or permanent paralysis involving the lower body (paraplegia) or all extremities including the shoulders and arms (quadriplegia).
Broken Bones
In car accidents it is not uncommon for victims to suffer broken bones such as ribs, legs, arms, ankles and wrists. Even a simple break that requires a cast can involve physical therapy when the bone heals to help restore complete range of motion. However, in certain situations a severe bone break may require extensive surgery to repair followed by intense physical therapy. Some accident victims may also suffer compound fractures which occur when the broken bone pierces through the skin requiring extensive repair and therapy.
Medical bills and rehabilitation expenses related to reckless driving accident injuries
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that where the passenger or driver are seated when the accident occurs is directly related to the severity of the injury the victim sustains. Typically, when seated closer to the point of impact, the injuries are more severe.
Because injuries in car accidents can be severe they may involve extensive medical bills and ongoing rehabilitation expenses. The nature of the injuries can also cause the victim to miss work resulting in lost wages from the time it takes to recover. Recovering damages when injured in a car accident can help with the financial burden.
It is also not uncommon for crash victims to experience emotional distress, including depression, especially if their quality of life is changed, for example, by suffering a long-lasting, serious injury.
Seeking financial compensation for damages
If you have suffered serious injuries from a car accident, The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox can help you obtain financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can pursue compensation on your behalf to obtain enough funds for medical treatments, procedures, and surgeries as well as the recovery of funds for lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Call The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox at (559) 222-5800 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation to confidentially discuss the details of your case.