If anyone fully understands the trauma that car accident victims go through, it’s both those involved in such accidents and the personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Las Vegas car accidents occur far more often than most other cities. This is likely due to the city’s more spread-out and wide-open nature when compared to other major metro areas in the United States. If you follow Las Vegas traffic updates for just one day, you’re likely to see tens of crashes, unfortunately.
Though all of these may not apply to every circumstance, here are some of the most commonly reported physical effects of car accidents reported in court. Remember, if you’ve suffered from these yourself, contact a personal injury attorney in Las Vegas right away! Though nobody can take back the suffering you’ve endured, we can certainly help fight for monetary compensation to help ease the pain.
Whiplash
Though the term is often misused to describe discomfort, medical “whiplash” occurs when a muscle or ligament jolts during an unexpected impact, causing it to tear.
Whiplash is particularly insidious because it isn’t always apparent. Given that most people experience a huge adrenaline rush after a severe car accident, many do not realize they have the injury on the scene. This is why it’s essential to have paramedics evaluate you at the scene of an accident. If you did happen to get whiplash, their documentation could help prove the accident directly caused it. For more on the physical impact of car accidents, see our comprehensive guide on how car accidents may affect you physically.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
One of the most saddening, yet common, injuries that Las Vegas personal injury law firms regularly deal with is traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Similar to whiplash, many people don’t realize they have a TBI at the scene.
It could take minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even years for symptoms serious enough to warrant immediate medical attention to appear. This is why many elect to get scans done at hospitals after an accident, especially if there was any head impact. The key to treating these injuries is early detection.
Even if the TBI is caught early, treated adequately, and heals successfully, the person found to be at fault for the accident isn’t off the hook! With costly medical treatment, the physical and emotional toll, and so much money lost due to time off work, victims of TBIs can often be awarded fair compensation packages with the assistance of a talented Las Vegas personal injury lawyer. If your TBI was caused by a defective car part, this blog on what to do if a defective car part caused a Las Vegas car accident can guide you through the process.
Broken Ribs
Of course, it’s possible to break any bone in an accident. Again, the adrenaline rush can make it possible to not even feel any pain at all in the moment! Some of the most common bones broken in car accidents are ribs. Sometimes, it’s a fracture, and other times, it’s a complete break. Either way, it’s a very serious injury.
The issue is that the ribs are very exposed and sensitive. Just a slight jarring impact can cause rib damage. Due to their central location, unless acute surgery is required, patients most commonly need to rest for long periods of time. Even with the help of prescription-grade painkillers, these can still cause lasting physical pain.
Just as with whiplash and TBIs, broken ribs are expensive to evaluate and treat, often requiring extended time off work or school. This goes for other broken bones as well, such as arms, which are frequently injured in accidents due to the natural reaction of trying to protect your head from hitting the dashboard. For more advice on navigating post-accident situations, take a look at how to properly document a car crash.
Internal Bleeding
Just the term “internal bleeding” nauseates most people. It sounds horrible, and, in some cases, it can be quite horrific or even deadly. Most often, ER doctors can identify the source of internal bleeding and use various agents and physical remedies to stop or slow it to the point where it isn’t deadly.
Out of all the physical impacts a car accident could have, internal bleeding is the least likely to be detected by the victim. Since there’s no way to see it from the outside, and most people don’t feel that they are bleeding internally, it’s almost impossible to know. This is a compelling reason to be evaluated by medical professionals after anything beyond a fender-bender. Even distracted driving incidents can lead to serious injuries, and knowing the risks involved can be vital. For more on distracted driving, read how to stay safe with the rise of distracted driving car accidents.
Getting Your Compensation
If you’ve suffered from these or other physical ailments related to a car crash, injury lawyers in Las Vegas at The Schnitzer Firm are here to assist you! Contact us today for a zero-obligation, compassionate, confidential consultation. You can drop us a line at 702-960-4050, email us at Contact@TheSchnitzerLawFirm.com, or fill out our contact form to get in touch with one of our 24/7 stand-by agents to get started.