If you’ve driven in Florida, it’s likely you have had to deal with crowded city streets or bumper-to-bumper traffic on the interstate. Yet, as you’re running errands or commuting through these risky situations, you probably never assume that you won’t make it to your destination. Most motorists never truly expect to be involved in a serious crash.
However, motor vehicle accidents are a regular, everyday occurrence in Florida. When you are involved in a collision, you can sustain many different kinds of injuries. Although the injuries from traffic accidents have varying levels of severity, your prognosis depends on the type of injury and what is done in the aftermath. Here are the most common types of injuries seen in motor vehicle accidents.
Brain injuries
Any blow to the head is a serious matter and can result in a brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common in car accident victims. The force of a collision can cause your neck to snap forward and your head to hit the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. Some TBI’s are mild and can be treated at home, but sometimes TBI’s can have long-lasting or permanent effects.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries are frequently seen in car accidents and also may require immediate medical attention. Paralysis is something you’ll need to watch out for after these types of injuries. You may think you would notice or be aware of a spinal cord injury immediately, but that’s not always the case. Paralysis does not always happen right away and can show up days later.
Broken bones
Broken bones are some of the most common injuries among those involved in crashes. You might not even know you’ve broken a bone until you’ve already left the scene. However, recovery time can vary greatly. For example, if you have a broken finger, you could be healed within weeks, but if you fracture your femur, you would likely need specialized treatment or surgery, which may require months of recovery.
Penetrating injuries
If you’re in a car accident, you may have a foreign or loose object impact and puncture your body. As painful as it may be, if the object that hit you is still in the wound, never remove it and seek medical attention. Without proper wound care treatment, you may contract an infection that would complicate and prolong your recovery.
Help in the aftermath of an accident
You can’t predict the actions of other drivers. You can be as careful as possible, do everything right and still be involved in an accident. If you are injured in a crash, the first thing you should do in the aftermath is seek immediate medical care, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Also, if your injuries were the direct result of another person’s negligence, you could be entitled to monetary damages to help with any medical expenses you may incur.