There are several types of injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage and broken bones that may be caused by serious car accidents.
Many motorists in Colorado and across the U.S. understand the inherent risks of climbing behind the wheel of a vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 250 people are injured in traffic accidents every hour in the United States, and an additional 90 people are killed in auto accidents every day. Even motorists who adhere to the laws of the road are in danger of being involved in an accident caused by a negligent driver. Whether involved in a seemingly minor fender bender or a catastrophic collision, people may be left with severe injuries that can affect the rest of their lives.
Traumatic brain injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that automobile accidents are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injury in the country. The abrupt impact of a collision can cause the brain to hit against the bony interior of the skull. Not only can this jolt cause immediate skull fractures as well as bruising and bleeding of the brain, but the brain may continue to swell for several days following the accident.
A person suffering from TBI may show different symptoms depending on what part of the brain is traumatized, as well as the severity of the injury. Victims may suffer from dizziness, headaches, repeated nausea and vomiting, seizures, muscle weakness, sensory disabilities, trouble sleeping, loss of consciousness and behavioral changes, as reported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. TBI can cause permanent cognitive disabilities, which may require ongoing therapy and treatment.
Neck injuries and spinal cord damage
Although the spinal cord is protected by the bony vertebrae of the spinal column, severe trauma may cause vertebral fractures, dislocations, and/or neurological damage. In cases where the spinal cord has significant bruising, swelling or is completely severed, paralysis may occur. According to Apparelyzed, damage that occurs in the very upper portion of the spinal cord may result in quadriplegia or paralysis from the neck down. A lower spinal cord injury could lead to paraplegia, which causes paralysis in the lower part of the body. Spinal cord damage can also affect a person’s ability to breathe and control their bladder muscles.
Fractured bones
Although most bone fractures heal over time, they can cause tremendous pain. In some cases, the chronic pain that occurs as a result of a broken bone does not go away once the bone heals. According to Healthline, people may require physical therapy and rehabilitation following a bone fracture.
Taking legal action
People who have been injured in a serious car accident may find it unfair that they are left to suffer from the pain and trauma of a debilitating injury because of another driver’s negligence. You may be unable to return to work or engage in your normal daily tasks following the injury. You may want to consider speaking to a personal injury attorney in Colorado to discuss your legal options.
Keywords: TBI, brain, injury, accident