Being involved in a car accident can cause a whirlwind of emotions, from shock to fear and anger. While convenient and important in our society, cars are dangerous vehicles that can cause lasting damage. Any collision can result in painful injuries because of the potentially high traveling speeds and large mass of the vehicle. While every accident is unique, there are generally some common occurrences of car accident injuries. Keep reading for more information on the varying types of injuries and contact a Rockland County car accident lawyer to discuss the details of your case.
How Do Car Accidents Occur in New York?
Car accidents are unfortunately common, with official data showing 1,175 fatal crashes in 2022, with thousands more non-fatal collisions occurring in Rockland County and across New York. As such, understanding how these accidents happen is critical. Common causes are as follows:
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, applying makeup)
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
What Categories of Injuries Exist?
The injuries that passengers or victims can sustain after being involved in a car accident can generally be divided into three categories. There is no telling which injury is worse or more painful than the other. The three categories of accidents are as follows.
Impact
Impact injuries happen when a person strikes any part of the inside of the car, and the force of the impact causes a wound. It can also occur if a passenger is thrown from the car during the accident, hitting the ground.
Penetrating
A penetrating injury is caused by loose items being thrown around the car and hurting a passenger.
Hidden
A hidden injury is any type that does not reveal itself during or immediately after the crash. It could be caused by the collision, but not appear for days, weeks, or months.
Any of these injuries can be painful and seriously damaging to a person’s physical and mental health.
What Are Some Common Injuries Sustained from Car Accidents?
Car accidents can result in a wide array of injuries. Depending on your height, weight, position in the car, and where the impact came from, you may be more or less severely injured. Additionally, because these collisions can be traumatic, it’s common for those injured to experience psychological injuries as well. Some of the more commonly occurring injuries that result from car accidents can include the following.
Head/neck injuries:
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- TBI (traumatic brain injury)
- Skull fractures
Back/chest injuries:
- Bruised or broken ribs
- Spinal cord injury
- Heart attack
Other physical injuries:
- Broken bones
- Sprains or fractures
- Dislocated joints
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Internal damage or bleeding
- Eye injuries
Emotional injuries:
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep disorders
Should I File a Car Accident Claim?
If you were the victim of a car accident, filing a claim or lawsuit should be on your list of priorities. If your life was disturbed and altered because of another person’s negligence or recklessness, they deserve to be brought to justice, and you deserve to be compensated for the situation they put you in. With the help of a skilled attorney, you can pursue legal action and damages to cover certain expenses associated with the accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Non-economic damages
You may not realize the full extent of your injuries just yet, which is why it’s imperative to seek medical treatment immediately following the collision. This will not only ensure that you are treated for the injuries you’ve suffered, but seeing a professional also ensures that your injuries and prompt care are documented. Your medical records will play an integral part in your claim, which is why seeking treatment for even seemingly minor injuries is critical following a collision in Rockland or Hudson County.
If you are injured in a car accident in Rockland County, Mitchell J. Schroeder, P.C., is ready to represent you. We understand how devastating accidents of this nature can be, which is why we will do everything in our power to assist you in the fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you during these difficult times.
