A car crash can happen when you least expect it. If you were hurt in a collision, you need to take immediate action to protect your health, safety, and legal rights. At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, we handle all types of car accident injury claims. Here, our Lexington car accident lawyer discusses the most common injuries that happen in crashes.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reports that nearly 40,000 people are hurt in motor vehicle crashes statewide each year. The nature and severity of these injuries vary dramatically. Thankfully, some victims sustain only minor harm. However, sadly, many other people suffer serious or even life-altering trauma. Some of the most common car accident injuries in South Carolina include:
- Lacerations: Lacerations are cuts or tears in the skin caused by sharp objects or impact during a collision. These injuries can range from minor surface wounds to deep cuts that require stitches or surgical treatment. Notably, lacerations may result in scarring and carry a risk of infection if not properly treated. Some of the most common specific causes include broken glass, torn metal, or unsecured items inside the vehicle.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a form of soft tissue damage that is most often associated with rear-end collisions. The injury happens when the neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked back and forth, often from rear-end collisions. It affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and back. Some common symptoms of whiplash include stiffness, headaches, and limited range of motion. Notably, these symptoms may take hours to develop.
- Sprains and Strains: Sprains involve the stretching or tearing of ligaments, while strains affect muscles or tendons. These soft tissue injuries can result from the body being thrown or twisted during a car accident. Some of the most common symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and reduced mobility in the affected area.
- Broken Bones: Fractures or broken bones are common in high-impact collisions and may affect the arms, legs, ribs, or other parts of the body. The severity ranges from relatively simple breaks that may start to heal within a few weeks to compound fractures requiring surgical intervention and could leave the victim with a permanent impairment. All suspected broken bones are a medical emergency.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Brain injuries are also a medical emergency. They can be life-changing. TBIs result from a sudden jolt or blow to the head. A key point car accident victims should know is that concussions and TBIs can happen even without a direct impact if the brain moves inside the skull. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe. Prompt medical care for a head injury is a must.
- Internal Injuries: Internal injuries affect organs, blood vessels, or internal structures and may not be visible right after a crash. Common internal injuries include internal bleeding, organ damage, or punctures caused by broken ribs or blunt trauma. These conditions are potentially life-threatening. They often require emergency medical attention.
- Spinal Cord Damage: Even a very small amount of trauma to the spinal cord can be a catastrophic injury. The severity depends on the location and extent of the injury. These injuries often require immediate medical care and long-term rehabilitation. In some cases, the damage may be permanent and profoundly life-altering.
- Amputations: Amputations may occur when a limb is severely crushed, severed, or damaged beyond repair in a car accident. They can happen at the scene or later in a hospital setting if medically necessary. Recovery involves both physical rehabilitation and emotional adjustment to life after limb loss.
All Types of Injuries from a Car Accident Require Prompt Medical Attention
Hurt in a crash in South Carolina? You should see a doctor as soon as possible. All physical injuries should be evaluated, diagnosed, treated, and followed up on by a doctor. Many car crash injuries arise with a gradual onset. In other words, you may be more badly hurt than you initially believed.
Do not wait to get medical attention. Not only is doing so a must for your physical and mental recovery, but it is also a required step in the personal injury claims process. Without supporting medical records, you will not be in a position to get car accident injury compensation in South Carolina.
Recovering the Maximum Compensation for a Car Crash Injury in South Carolina
In South Carolina, auto accident victims have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of their damages, including non-economic losses. No matter the cause, nature, or severity of your injury, it is imperative that you secure the maximum settlement or verdict. Insurance companies are not on your side. They fight to pay out less. Our South Carolina car accident lawyers can help. You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs or total loss value
- Ambulance costs and emergency room care
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses
- Loss of wages and loss of future earning power
- Pain and suffering & mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life due to injury
- Wrongful death of a family member
How Our South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help
Motor vehicle collisions are consistently a leading cause of accidental injuries in South Carolina. No matter the nature and severity of your injury, you need immediate medical attention and the maximum available financial compensation. At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, we know how to hold the big insurance companies accountable. With a proven record of case results, our South Carolina car accident lawyers are standing by, ready to review your case during a free consultation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our South Carolina Attorneys Today
At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, our South Carolina car accident lawyers are proud to provide personalized legal advocacy. If you or your family member suffered a bad injury in a wreck, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. From our offices in Lexington and Mauldin, we handle motor vehicle accident claims all across South Carolina.