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Car Accidents Can Result In Catastrophic Injuries

Whether Connecticut motorists are victims of minor fender benders or serious multivehicle collisions, they run the risk of becoming injured. Some injuries, like broken bones, lacerations, amputations and spinal cord damage, may be immediately apparent. There are other injuries, however, that may not appear for several days following the initial collision. Although the symptoms may be delayed, the actual injuries themselves can be severe, and may have devastating results for the injured victims of a car accident.

We know that these types of injuries demand thorough care and thorough proof. If you have a serious injury that you received in a vehicle accident and you have questions about filing a claim, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to see if we can help you.

1. Traumatic Brain Injury

Otherwise referred to as whiplash or concussion, traumatic brain injuries can cause extensive cognitive impairment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, auto accidents are the third leading cause of injuries involving TBI and the second leading cause of TBI-related deaths in the U.S. The sudden impact from an accident can cause a person’s head to smack against the dashboard, side window or back of the seat. This forceful blow may damage the brain’s soft tissue as it hits into the hard bony interior of the skull.

Depending on the victim’s unique physiological response, the area that was injured and the severity of the blow, the victim may show signs of brain trauma right away. Others might appear fine until the gradual swelling of the brain causes excess pressure in the skull cavity over the course of the next few days. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms might include serious headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures, trouble focusing, tingling in the extremities, dizziness and muscle weakness. People with traumatic brain injuries may have vision, hearing and other sensory problems as well. While people with mild TBI may fully recover from their injuries, people with more serious cases may have lifelong cognitive difficulties.

2. Spinal Cord Damage

If the sudden impact occurs further down on the body, the ligaments, disks or vertebrae of the spinal column or the spinal cord may be affected. A broken vertebrae, slipped disk or pulled ligament could pinch a nearby nerve and cause severe pain. In cases where the spinal cord becomes severed, the accident victim may lose use of his or her arms and/or legs. According to the Mayo Clinic, car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord damage in the nation.

In a split second, your life can change because of another driver’s negligent and reckless behavior. It may seem unfair that you have to live with a catastrophic injury, mounting medical bills and are unable to work because of someone else’s bad decision. In order to help maximize the compensation that you may be entitled to, your personal injury lawyer will need access to detailed information about the accident itself as well as your injuries and losses. This type of information is best gathered immediately after the accident and in the early stages of your recovery.

Our spinal cord injury attorneys welcome the opportunity to help you communicate with your physicians and gather information from them that may assist your legal case against any negligent parties. We have represented clients who had suffered spinal cord injuries leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia.

3. Soft Tissue Injuries

Vehicle crashes often result in whiplash, which can lead to severe neck and back injuries, head injuries and mild traumatic brain injuries that need to be treated timely and effectively. These injuries may also involve sprains and strains to the ligaments, muscles and tendons. There may be nerve damage that can affect the operation of limbs. We have handled thousands of these cases, and we are familiar with the mechanics of any injury.

More importantly, these types of injuries can affect your ability to perform daily tasks and function in general. Our attorneys will make sure you are examined by respected medical professionals, who can assess the extent of your injuries and the best course of treatment, and show how your injuries resulted from the accident.

We will also show what residual problems from any neck injury or back injury you may have will affect your ability to perform your working duties. Our goal is to make sure the insurance company appreciates the extent of your claim and that the compensation covers your recovery, including all medical expenses for physical therapy, chiropractic care, emergency care, medications and diagnostic studies including MRIs, CT scans, as well as any lost wages, pain and suffering you have incurred as a result of the accident.

4. Amputation Injuries

Unlike a simple soft tissue injury resulting from a car accident, an amputation injury generally means a lifetime of disability, medical treatment and financial burden. The loss of any body part is difficult to accept. When that loss was preventable and caused by another’s negligence behind the wheel, it can be even more devastating.

The most frequent types of amputation involve:

  • Feet
  • Toes
  • Arms
  • Hands
  • Fingers
  • Amputation at the elbow
  • Amputation at the hip
  • Amputation at the knee

Not only are amputation injuries life-altering, but they are also expensive. As your Connecticut personal injury lawyers, we will consult with specialists such as life-care planners and economists to determine past and future costs of your injury. We will work to ensure costs for a prosthesis, physical therapy and other factors are taken into consideration. Our goal is to obtain maximum compensation on your behalf to ease the financial hardship posed by your new situation.

Contact Us To Begin Preparing For Your Case

An attorney in Connecticut who understands personal injury cases may be able to answer any questions you have regarding the specific details of your case. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A lawyer may be helpful in walking you through the legal process.

Contact Williams, Walsh & O'Connor, LLC, in New Haven for a free consultation about an injury.

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