Recognizing Car Accident Injuries: When to Seek Medical and Legal Help

5 min read time
Paramedics arriving on the scene of a car crash

When you have been involved in a traffic accident, it is normal to feel shaken and overwhelmed. Regardless of the severity of the crash, you may be uncertain about what steps to take. 

Victims of car accidents are often unsure about whether they have sustained an injury. Some types of physical damage do not present symptoms until days or weeks after the inciting incident. 

For this reason, it is vital to answer the question, “How do I know I am injured from a car accident?” Below, we will discuss some of the most important signs to look for in the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision.  

If your accident was the result of another person’s negligence or carelessness, you may be owed significant financial recovery. This is especially true if your collision resulted in mounting medical bills or property damage costs. 

Following a car accident, it is vital to reach out to a skilled legal professional. Speaking with a lawyer will help to ensure that you recover the money that you need to move forward. 

Do not let negligent drivers be left unaccountable. If you need legal representation, contact the firm of Morgan & Morgan. 

Our skilled legal team will gladly provide you with a no-obligation case evaluation. To arrange your free consultation, fill out the contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website today.

 

Common Car Accident Injuries

Every traffic accident results in a unique set of outcomes. However, some injuries are more common than others following a traffic accident.  

The injuries that result from your accident will depend on many different factors. These include:

  • The types of vehicles involved
  • The speed of the vehicles
  • The nature of the collision
  • The safety features of the vehicles
  • The weight and size of the vehicles
  • And more 

No matter what type of motor vehicle crash you were involved in, make sure to seek a medical assessment as soon as possible. There are many different injuries that can result from a car accident.  

Some of the typical examples of car accident injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) typically occur when the victim’s head impacts a surface or object during the crash. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of TBI in the U.S.  

TBIs result in damage to the soft tissue of the brain. These injuries can occur whether or not the skull is damaged.  

In some instances, TBIs occur without the victim’s head making contact with a surface. If the person’s head is jolted forcefully enough, their brain may collide with the interior of their skull and cause injury. 

This can result in serious and life-long symptoms. If you believe that you have suffered a head injury in a car accident, reach out to a medical professional immediately.

Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact of a vehicular collision can result in damage to a victim’s back and spine. Spinal injuries can result in a loss of motor function, numbness, and other serious health conditions.

Broken Bones: The impact of a car crash can cause the victim’s body to collide with the inside of the vehicle. This can put the victim’s bones under unmanageable stress. 

Depending on the nature of the car crash, many different bones may be impacted. Broken bones are one of the most common car accident injuries. 

Still, this type of physical damage can result in extensive medical bills and months of recovery time. If you have broken a bone in a traffic accident, contact an attorney as soon as possible.  

These are only a few examples of the most common car crash injuries. After you have been in a motor vehicle collision, you may be wondering, “How do I know I am injured from a car accident?” 

Speaking with a skilled legal representative can help you determine your options for moving forward. It is vital to know what steps to take to determine whether you have suffered physical damage. 

 

How Do I Know I Am Injured From a Car Accident Someone Else Caused?

When you have been involved in a crash that another person caused, you may have grounds for a legal claim against them. If you were hurt as a result of the collision, you can pursue damages for the losses related to your injury. 

However, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether you have suffered an injury. Because of this, many accident victims wonder, “How do I know I am injured from a car accident?” 

Many traffic accident injuries do not present signs or symptoms immediately following the collision. Still, victims deserve compensation for these medical conditions and the resulting complications. 

It is important to understand that even minor car accidents can cause unseen physical damage. Those injuries that present symptoms days, weeks, or months after the incidents tend to affect soft tissue. 

It is vital to monitor your condition after a car crash. Seeking a medical assessment is important for your health and for the viability of any future legal claim.

 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries occur when damage is done to parts of the body other than the victim’s bones. Parts of the human anatomy that are considered “soft tissue” include: 

  • Muscles
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • And more 

Even traffic collisions that do not involve high speeds can result in massive amounts of force. The bodies of those in the vehicle may be thrown around when the car comes to an abrupt stop.  

This type of force places an enormous amount of stress and strain on the victim’s body. Many soft tissue injuries can result in significant pain and swelling. Others may cause victims to experience reduced mobility. 

It is critical to speak with a medical professional after a car accident. This is true even if you do not believe that you are injured. 

Soft tissue damage may not be immediately apparent in the moments following a crash. The delayed presentation of symptoms makes soft tissue damage difficult to diagnose.  

Some soft tissue injuries are undetectable even to medical devices, including X-rays and MRIs. When you are wondering, “How do I know I am injured from a car accident?” consult with a professional. 

Even if you have not experienced discomfort or other symptoms, consult with a physician after a traffic accident. Documenting your injuries as soon as possible will also help you secure the best possible outcome in any resulting legal case.

 

TBI Following a Car Accident

Traumatic brain injuries may also fail to present symptoms in the hours following a car accident. If your head connects with the steering wheel or dashboard during the collision, you are at risk for sustaining a TBI. 

The mildest category of TBI is known as a “concussion.” These injuries can be very serious, regardless of whether they present symptoms. 

Some concussions result in a loss of consciousness or obvious disorientation. But even TBIs that show no signs can result in significant long-term damage. 

The most typical symptoms of concussions and other types of TBI include:

  • Brain fog
  • Loss of ability to concentrate
  • Memory loss and difficulty forming new memories
  • Persistent headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stiffness and muscle soreness
  • And more

If you have any of these conditions after a head injury, make sure to seek a medical assessment immediately. It is vital to speak with a physician after hitting your head, even if you feel fine.

 

Tingling and Numbness

Depending on the type of injury that you have sustained, some types of physical damage will result in numbness or tingling. Some of the injuries that may cause tingling or loss of feeling include: 

  • Severed or damaged nerves
  • Nerve compression
  • Back injuries resulting in disc herniation
  • Internal damage to bones or tissue that pinches nerves
  • And more 

If you have experienced a loss of feeling, do not hesitate. It is crucial to have a medical professional ensure that you receive any treatment you need. 

No matter what the circumstances of your car accident, make sure to contact a skilled legal professional as soon as possible. You should not have to manage the costs from an injury that another person caused.  

One of the accomplished car accident attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will review the facts of your case for free. When you hire us, our team will fight tirelessly to secure the financial compensation that you are rightfully owed.

 

How Can I Afford a Skilled Car Accident Attorney?

Reputable traffic accident lawyers are paid through a contingency fee method. With this approach to attorneys’ fees, clients are not responsible for the cost of legal services unless they receive compensation.

The compassionate legal professionals at Morgan & Morgan understand the financial strain that many accident victims experience. Because of this, you will not pay a single dime unless we successfully win or settle your personal injury claim. 

When you hire us, we will determine a specific percentage of the recovery from your car accident claim. After we secure the money that you deserve, that portion of the compensation will be used to cover attorneys’ fees. 

You should never hire a firm that requires payment before taking your case. At Morgan & Morgan, our lawyers do not get paid unless you do.

 

What Are Common Damages in Car Accident Cases?

The term for monetary payments in a civil legal claim is “damages.” Victims have the right to pursue compensation for their monetary and non-financial losses following an accident. 

Some of the most common examples of damages in car accident claims include: 

  • Current and future medical costs
  • Lost income and wages from missed workdays
  • The cost of repairing and replacing damaged property
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish and distress
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life 

In some instances, car crashes result in fatal injuries. When this happens, the decedent’s estate holders may have the right to seek financial recovery through a wrongful death claim.

 

Let the Attorneys at Morgan & Morgan Represent You

If you believe you have been injured in a car accident, do not wait. It is critical to consult a compassionate lawyer at Morgan & Morgan as soon as possible. 

The sooner you begin the legal process, the better your chances of securing financial compensation for your injuries. To arrange a no-cost legal consultation, fill out the easy-to-use contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website now.

Disclaimer
This website is meant for general information and not legal advice.

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