Common Injuries After Car Accident in Yakima

What Are the Common Injuries of Car Accidents?

Some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents in Yakima include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are caused by sudden, physical damage from an external force. This impact can temporarily or permanently impede normal brain functioning. Symptoms range from mild to moderate to severe, including loss of consciousness, memory problems, cognitive impairment, seizures, convulsions, numbness or weakness in the extremities, agitation and a host of other problems. The results of TBI can make it impossible for a victim to work or even take care of basic daily tasks.

Spinal cord injuries

When the spinal cord is damaged, victims often lose sensation and motion below the injury site on the spinal cord. Victims of spinal injuries may suffer paraplegia (paralysis of the lower limbs), or quadriplegia (paralysis of arms and legs, sometimes called “tetraplegia”), or may suffer partial loss of feeling or control. Many victims of spinal cord injuries are unable to earn a living or perform daily tasks. Lifetime care may be required and can cost millions of dollars.

Back injuries

Injuries to the back can affect the vertebrae (bones), the discs and the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments). Lumbar sprains and strains, vertebral and compression fractures, and herniated or bulging discs are all common types of back injuries that result from car accidents. Ongoing pain management — including chiropractic care, steroid treatment, medication and physical therapy – is often necessary. Some back injuries require surgery.

Neck injuries and whiplash

Whiplash is a common neck injury that often results from car accidents, especially rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is thrust abruptly forward and then snaps back in a whip-like motion. The unnatural movement can injure the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Fractures and broken bones

Car accident victims commonly suffer broken bones, including the arms, legs, ribs and pelvis. Any bone in the body can break in a car accident. The severity and the type of fracture can affect a victim’s prognosis. Not all broken bones heal completely, and complications can arise.

Internal injuries

Internal bleeding and organ damage are among the most serious injuries caused by car accidents. They are often overlooked because they sometimes do not initially show symptoms.

Burns

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 219,000 vehicle fires in 2011, resulting in 300 deaths and 1,190 injuries. Tens of thousands of these fires occurred as a direct result of car accidents. The extent of the severity of burn injuries depends upon whether the injuries were first, second, third or fourth-degree burns. Third and fourth-degree burns can cause significant pain and disfigurement, and often result in permanent nerve damage or death.

Amputations

Lost limbs are a tragic result of some car accidents. Fingers, toes, feet, hands, arms, legs and other body parts can be severed during a crash or damaged so severely that they must be surgically removed.

Need More Information About Types of Injuries in a Car Accident?

Our Yakima car accident lawyers from our legal firm Mariano Morales Law can help you. Call us at (509) 853-2222.