Motor vehicles are a significant risk to people everywhere. While cars offer a mode of transportation in most places, their safety is in question. Car accidents are widespread and can lead to catastrophic injuries for the victim. They can cause permanent disability and pain, suffering, and loss of life. It would be best if you prepared for the possibility of a motor vehicle accident. You should take some essential steps to stay safe and prepare by talking to a catastrophic injury lawyer to prevent injuries and death.
8 Common Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Motor Accidents
1. Brain Injury
A brain injury follows about 50 percent of car accidents, which can be severe. A severe brain injury can lead to coma, paralysis, or death. Brain injuries can also cause loss of thinking and reasoning, memory loss, or a personality change. While a minor head injury may only cause headaches or nausea in the initial stages, more severe head injuries can cause long-term disability and pain.
2. Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury is one of the most common catastrophic injuries, with about 35,000 individuals sustaining a spinal cord injury in the United States each year. This type of injury causes paralysis in the lower part of the body. Paralysis may leave an individual unable to walk, lift themselves or use their arms and legs. A traumatic spinal cord injury may also result in bladder and bowel control loss.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from violent shaking of the head. The shaking movement can cause a person to lose consciousness, resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury. A severe TBI leaves an individual paralyzed and unable to communicate and may result in loss of vision, speech, or hearing.
4. Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome can occur as a result of a car accident. When the pressure inside the body is increased, it can lead to damaging effects. The legs are most often affected. Compartment syndrome may cause pain, swelling, and muscle weakness in the lower leg or arm. Compartment syndrome can also lead to an inability to walk or permanent disability if left untreated.
5. Stomach Injuries (Internal Organ Injuries)
A stomach injury causes severe internal bleeding and damage to the organs inside the abdomen. The stomach is a vital organ, as it aids digestion and acts as a storage space for food before entering the digestive system. A stomach injury commonly occurs when a person is struck directly in the stomach area. The organ may be ruptured, resulting in the internal organs spilling out into the body cavity.
6. Heart Injury
The heart is a vital organ that keeps everyone alive. Without it, the body would cease to function correctly. A heart injury can occur following a motor vehicle accident and other accidents or assaults on a person’s life. When the heart is injured, it may stop beating and result in death. It is also possible for a heart attack to form due to injury.
7. Kidney Injuries
A kidney injury causes damage to the internal organs, which will impair the normal function of these organs. An individual suffering a kidney injury may experience swelling, pain, and bleeding in the lower back. The kidneys are located on both sides of the back and are connected by a tube called the ureter. Damage to the kidneys will result in swelling and pain in this area.
8. Pelvic Injuries
While the pelvis is often overlooked in a car accident injury, it can cause serious injuries. Pelvic injuries will cause pain and swelling in the lower abdomen area. A pelvic injury may also cause pain in the private parts and lead to complications such as impotence or difficulty during childbirth.
Injuries suffered in a car accident can be severe and long-lasting. The damages can result in long-term disability and some cases, death. You should always wear a seatbelt and avoid driving while under drugs or alcohol and be careful when getting into a car with other people.
