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04/20/2021

Motor vehicle accidents are common on the roadways in Texas. They happen daily and leave a trail of incapacitating injuries and deaths in their wake. Following a car accident that results in a minor injury or severe injury, you should contact a personal injury attorney at Calhoun Meredith. We will help you assess the damage caused and represent you during the settlement process. But before that, let's look at some of the common car accident injuries. 

What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Car Accident? 

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Houston, Texas, has one of the highest numbers of motor vehicle crashes in the state. A report released by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in 2020 showed that in 2018, Houston recorded a total of 64 523 traffic accidents. Out of that number, there were: 

  • 188 fatal crashes 
  • 196 fatalities
  • 1,034 suspected serious accidents
  • 1,180 suspected severe injuries
  • 5,062 non-incapacitating crashes 
  • 6,731 non-incapacitating injuries
  • 14,189 possible injury accidents
  • 21, 961 possible injuries 

The numbers show that vehicle collisions can end in no-injury, minor or severe wounds, or drivers and passengers' deaths. Below, we listed some of the most common injuries sustained in an auto accident. 

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Following a motor vehicle wreckage, victims can sustain injuries to their spine. This type of injury can result in partial or permanent paralysis. It could make a person become quadriplegia, tetraplegia, or paraplegia. It affects the quality of life the person would live and is one of the most severe physical injuries. People who suffer a spinal cord injury from automobile accidents require additional care and lifelong care. Both require money, and the victim can claim damages if they are not the fault party. 

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 

Automobile collisions are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. It is a brain dysfunction caused by a severe blow to the head following high-speed collisions. It is essential to get immediate treatment following a severe crash. Do this if you experience confusion, blurry vision, and difficulty concentrating. If not treated immediately, it could result in a long-term disability. 

Back Injuries 

A back injury is a damage to the bones, muscles, or other back tissue. Since the human body and spine cannot sustain a forceful impact, people experience different back injuries following a crash. It could be a herniated disc, a lumbar sprain, or a thoracic spine injury. This type of injury may not show up immediately after an accident, which is why you should seek medical help immediately. The pain from a severe back injury can last for a long time, thereby affecting the victim's health. 

Burns

If the car catches fire after a car accident, one of the potential injuries a person suffers is a burn injury. Depending on the fire's intensity, it could be a first, second, third, or fourth-degree burn. This wound is an example of a permanent injury and requires immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity, the victim might need a skin graft or surgery.   

Internal Injuries 

The heavy impact of motor vehicle collisions and the number of flying debris that hits the body result in internal injuries. Unlike physical injuries like broken bones, you can’t see wounds of this nature. They primarily affect internal organs and result in organ failure and bleeding. Only a thorough medical evaluation can reveal the extent of an internal injury. In some cases, it takes hours for symptoms to manifest and can be fatal when they do. 

Fractures and Broken Bones

This covers leg injuries, ribs, arms, broken ankles, and wrists. They are common auto accident injuries and require medical treatment. People can sometimes suffer from a fractured pelvis and other compound fractures that require surgery to fix. 

common car accident injuries

Other common types of auto accident injury include:

  • Head injuries like concussions and intracranial bleeds
  • Knee injuries
  • Disfiguring facial injuries and scars
  • Loss of limb and amputation
  • Neck injuries and whiplash 
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Lacerations, bruises, and road rash
  • Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains to muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Psychological injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Steps Involved in Recovering From Car Accident Injuries

As mentioned earlier, car accident victims can either fully recover, partially recover, or never get back to 100%. Some would lose motor skills, become brain dead, or have permanent disfigurement. Those who recover can take days, weeks, or months before getting back to life as they knew it. This is because healing involves several steps and strict adherence to them. 

Below, we listed out the several steps involved in recovering from automobile accident wounds. 

1. Seek medical care immediately after the auto accident as not all wounds like whiplash injuries appear immediately after a collision. 

2. Find the right car accident injury doctor as your primary care physician might not be qualified to treat your wounds..

3. Follow the prescribed treatment plan without deviating from it. 

4. Get adequate rest, and don't hurry to get back to work or heavy tasks.

5. Find positive ways to manage your pain.

6. Exercise and stretch the muscles to regain full motion range, and engage in physical therapy if needed. 

7. Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated. 

8. Surround yourself with a positive support system, and be patient as healing takes time. 

What Are the Damages Available to a Car Accident Victim? 

Under Texas law, victims of an auto accident can recover damages from the negligent party.. Usually, this compensation is divided into economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. The latter only comes into play where there is evidence of gross negligence by the fault party. 

The victim can bring the claim against the faulty party's insurance company. After negotiations, they will get a payout to cover: 

  • Medical expenses
  • Property damage
  • Lost income and loss of employment 
  • Loss of affection/consortium
  • Pain and suffering

If the insurance company refuses to pay the money requested by the victim, the person can file a personal injury lawsuit before a claims court. If the victim's injury leads to death, their representative or family members can bring a wrongful death action. In this instance, they will get compensation for burial and funeral expenses in addition to those listed above. 

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident Injury?

There is no fixed amount for car accident settlements in Texas as insurance companies and courts decide each case on its merits.. The amount you'll get depends on the extent of your injuries and your negotiating ability.

common car accident injuries

When dealing with economic damages, most insurance companies use the multiplier method. The insurance adjuster usually takes the total financial loss and multiplies it by a number, mainly two or three. It means that if medical bills, property damage, and loss wages amount to $100,000, they will multiply it by two or three. You would then get either $200,000 or $300,000. 

In some cases where the personal injury claim goes to court, the victim might get more than that amount. Whether you're dealing with an insurance company or in a claims court, it would be best to hire an experienced auto accident attorney. 

Did You Suffer a Car Accident Injury? Contact Calhoun Meredith

Our years of experience at Calhoun Meredith, PLLC, have shown us that injuries can turn your life upside down. In severe cases, you'll be unable to work and incur medical bills that your insurance may not cover. Beginning a claims process by yourself will only add to the list of things you have to deal with. But with us, you can focus on your recovery while we work to get you the maximum compensation. 

Our personal injury lawyers will pursue an insurance claim on your behalf. We will ensure you get the medical and financial support you need to get your life back to normal. What's more? You don't pay us until we get a settlement or a verdict. Find out more by scheduling a free consultation today. 

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