According to information provided by the Texas Department of Transportation, there is a car accident injury about every two minutes in Texas. Texas drivers should remain aware of the risks that car accidents pose to their well-being, as injuries from vehicle accidents can be life-altering and permanently disabling and can even cause death.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The injuries that can be sustained in a car accident vary depending on a variety of factors unique to each collision. Some of these circumstances include:
- The severity and type of crash injuries
- Whether the victim was wearing a seatbelt
- The condition and safety features of the victim’s vehicle
- The road conditions and vehicles involved in the accident
- The speed at which the accident occurred
Although injuries differ depending on the circumstances listed above, auto accident injuries generally fall into two categories — penetrating and impact injuries. Penetrating injuries refer to cuts, scrapes, and impalement, most of which are caused by glass and metal. Penetrating injuries can range from minor, requiring little to no medical attention, to severe, requiring emergency medical attention, surgery, or long-term physical therapy.
Impact injuries refer to body parts hitting a surface in the vehicle. One of the most common car accident impact injuries is head injuries. Head injuries, such as those sustained from hitting the windshield or airbag, can be as minor as a small concussion to as debilitating as permanent brain damage. Other common impact injuries include chest bruising, broken ribs, internal bleeding caused by impact, and broken extremities.
In addition to penetrating and impact injuries, soft tissue injuries are also common car accident injuries. Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The most common soft tissue injury that victims experience in auto accidents is whiplash, a condition in which the soft tissue of the neck, back, or torso is strained in response to the sudden force of the collision.
Treating Common Car Accident Injuries
The first and most important step in any car accident is to ensure that all injured parties get medical attention as quickly as possible. This includes emergency medical care at the scene of the accident as well as follow-ups with primary care doctors for minor injuries after the scene has been cleared.
Even if drivers or passengers do not feel injured after a car accident, it’s important to remember that soft tissue and internal injuries may take days to show symptoms. It’s always best to have medical care in place and documentation of doctor visits and treatment if litigation must be pursued down the line.
What to Do After a Car Accident
After a car crash, it’s important to remain calm and assess the situation.
- The first step is to ensure everyone involved is safe and call for any necessary medical assistance.
- Next, relevant information, including insurance details, will be exchanged with the other parties. You must notify your insurance company as soon as possible to start the car insurance claim process.
- If you’ve sustained any personal injury, seek proper medical treatment immediately.
- Keep records of all medical expenses incurred to include in your injury claim. Additionally, document any property damage for your insurance claim.
- If you experience pain and suffering or symptoms like traumatic brain injury, consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and options for compensation.
The Lopez Law Group Can Help
The Lopez Law Group’s car accident lawyers have decades of combined experience handling cases involving the most common car accident injuries. We aim to streamline the difficult car accident settlement process by offering professional legal services to victims and their families. With our team representing you, you can rest assured that we are fighting for your best interests. The Lopez Law Group offers free, no-obligation case consultations so you can understand all of your legal rights and options.
Our team at The Lopez Law Group proudly serves McAllen, Weslaco, Pharr, Tyler, Spring, Mission, McAllen, Laredo, Houston, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen, Rio Grande City, and other areas throughout Texas.
Contact us online or give us a call at (956) 968-7800 today for your free case review. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.