From car crashes to slips and falls, accidents are an unfortunate occurrence in life. Though some people are lucky enough to walk away from accidents unscathed, not everybody is quite so fortunate. Many individuals suffer serious, life-changing injuries when these mishaps occur.
Common Injuries in Indiana Accidents
The list of injuries that can occur as a result of an accident is extensive. In an effort to help accident victims, we’ve compiled information on some of the most common accident injuries that our office assists clients with below.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries often occur when an accident causes a jolt, blow, or penetrating injury to the head. However, a traumatic brain injury can also occur because of a lack of oxygen, or from the swelling that results from an illness. Some of the most common symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Balance issues
- Impaired concentration
- Vision problems
- Impaired language skills
- Fatigue
Treatment for a brain injury can include rest, medication, cognitive rehabilitation, speech, and occupational therapy, and in life-threatening situations, surgery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
People who suffer spinal cord injuries may find themselves dealing with one or more of the following long-term symptoms and effects:
- Severe pain
- Paraplegia
- Tetraplegia
- Numbness
- Loss of bladder control
- Breathing issues
- Spasms
Like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries may be treated with rehab and physical therapy. However, if the damage is too severe, it may not be possible to regain certain bodily functions.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Many accidents result in soft tissue injuries. In the case of car crashes, these injuries usually take the form of whiplash. In other accidents, sprains to ankles, knees, shoulders, and wrists are more common.
For individuals who suffer a soft tissue injury, the following symptoms are quite common:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Limited mobility
- Muscle cramping
The specific treatment plan for a soft tissue injury will depend on the nature of the damage. Generally speaking, however, rest, ice, compression, and elevation will help a great deal. In more severe cases, doctors may order medication and surgical procedures.
Burn Injuries
In accidents that involve a building or vehicle catching fire, burn injuries are very common. Burns also often result from exposure to toxic chemicals, or from accidental electrocutions. In some cases, these burns can be relatively minor. In others, they can be quite serious.
People who suffer a burn injury are likely to face many of the following symptoms and health concerns:
- Blistering
- Swelling
- Peeling skin
- Severe pain
Treatment for burn injuries generally depends on the severity of the injury. In most cases, however, some combination of ointment, painkillers, and antibiotics will likely be recommended by the prescribing physician. Severe burns may require multiple painful skin graft surgeries, and may leave the victim permanently disabled and disfigured.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries can happen in just about any kind of accident. These injuries can have a sizeable impact on the impacted individual’s ability to breathe, digest food, and carry out regular bodily functions.
Unfortunately, internal injuries can be quite difficult to spot in the immediate aftermath of an accident without the help of a doctor. When this occurs, the eventual consequences of the injury are likely to worsen.
What to Do if You Are Injured in an Accident Caused By Someone Else’s Negligence
If you sustained an injury due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, there are two things that you should do as soon as possible:
Seek Medical Attention
Without question, your first concern should always be your health and wellbeing. As soon as possible, visit a physician for a thorough examination. Not only does seeing a doctor put you in the best position to heal from your injuries, but it also creates important records of your treatment that will serve as important evidence in proving your right to receive compensation.
Hire an Experienced Lawyer
After addressing your immediate medical needs, contact a skilled personal injury attorney. Hiring a lawyer is undoubtedly the best way to protect and enforce your legal rights to receive payment from the party who harmed you.
Your Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm
Over the years, the attorneys at Doehrman Buba Ring in Carmel, IN have helped countless local residents claim compensation after sustaining injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s wrongful actions. If you find yourself in this unfortunate position, please do not hesitate to reach out to us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case in greater detail.