Just like you cannot predict if you will ever get into a serious car accident somewhere in Austin, there is no way to know if you will be badly injured or where those injuries will be.
Having said that, people tend to show up at the emergency room with certain types of catastrophic car crash injuries more often than others. Here are five of the most serious injuries that you might suffer in an auto collision.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A brain injury could affect you for the rest of your life. TBIs can cause a wide range of neurological and emotional damage, including memory problems, cognitive difficulties, personality changes and mood swings.
- Back and neck injuries. A ruptured or herniated disc in your spine can be very painful. It can also affect your spinal cord, limiting your mobility and potentially causing lifelong paralysis. Even if your spinal cord is not damaged, back and neck injuries can require intensive treatment, including surgery, and take a long time to heal.
- Whiplash. Whiplash is a specific type of neck or back injury caused by an impact — like a car crash — that causes your neck to snap unnaturally fast, straining your muscles and ligaments. It is not always immediately apparent when you have whiplash, which is why you should always visit a doctor as soon as possible after an accident, even if you feel fine initially.
- Internal bleeding. Bleeding from an internal organ after a wreck can threaten your life if not treated promptly.
- Broken bones. Though rarely life-threatening or permanently disabling, a broken bone can hurt a lot and limit your mobility or independence for weeks or months.
What your injuries are, if they were the result of another driver’s negligence, you could be entitled to full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
