Head Injuries, Whiplash, and Back Pain: Georgia Automobile Accident Attorneys Explore the Most Common Car Accident Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of five and 34. Car accidents claim the lives of over 18,266 Americans every year. The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety reports that over 1,000 traffic fatalities occur in the state each year. Nearly 300 fatalities are related to alcohol impairment and over 200 are caused by speeding. These figures are fortunately down from previous years, but are still significantly high.
Those who do survive a car accident may suffer serious and even permanent injuries. Millions of car accident injuries occur each year and many individuals find themselves requiring time off work, physical therapy, and other steps to recovery.
The following is a look at some injuries, among others, most commonly suffered by automobile accident victims in Georgia:
- Head and brain trauma: Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries stemming from a car accident can include concussions as well as severe brain damage, such as brain bleeds. Automobiles today can travel at higher rates of speed than in previous decades and the faster cars travel, the greater potential for head injuries, as the force is dramatically increased in the event of an accident. Concussions can occur if the accident victim's head is flung into the steering wheel or dashboard, among other scenarios. Seatbelts can prevent some head injuries but others will still occur. It is important that any accident victim who may have suffered a head injury seek prompt medical attention as the symptoms of traumatic brain injury are not always obvious.
- Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body in the event of a crash. The spinal cord is prone to injury due to the back and forth motion that follows any accident. Herniated discs, bulging discs, and even fractures to the vertebrae can occur.
- Neck and back injuries: Muscle spasms to the neck or back are some of the most common car accident injuries. They occur when the neck is quickly jerked back and forth due to the abrupt nature of the accident. This painful condition can limit your range of motion and require time off work. Any neck or back injury will be painful and require extended recovery time. A person who is suffering from pain in the neck or back should promptly seek medical treatment, as symptoms initially diagnosed as muscle spasms could later be determined to be the result of a spinal injury (discussed above), depending on how you respond to your therapy.
- Broken bones: Broken bones can occur across the body, including the wrist, legs, face, or arm. Broken limbs will require hospital treatment and some time before the body part can be used safely again.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
If you have been injured because of the actions of another person or party, speaking with an attorney can help you understand your legal rights as well as the actions necessary to preserve your rights. Our compassionate car accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates represent those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast, including all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/injury/overview/data.html
http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/research/ga-crashes/injuries/fatalities/
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-the-most-common-vehicle-accident-injuries.html