In a blink of an eye, accidents happen on residential roads, highways, and freeways causing severe and minor damage to drivers, passengers, and vehicles.
According to the CDC, Americans spend more than 1 million days in the hospital due to auto accidents. These statistics suggest that there is a strong possibility that you are someone you know will be involved in some sort of accident and may sustain injuries. In fact, the latest figures show that more than 6 million car accidents occur a year.
Auto accidents are the leading concern of motorists and law enforcement in the Tampa area. They can cause devastating damage to the body both internally and externally. Although internal injuries are harder to diagnose, external injuries are easier to spot at the scene of an accident. Some of the most common external injuries include:
Head injuries
The impact of a car can cause bruising and swelling around the head. In some cases, knicks, cuts, and scrapes can occur as well. These injuries can be warning signs for more serious injuries such as brain damage of traumatic brain injury.
Swelling and Bruising
A crash can cause passengers to get knocked around in a vehicle. Door handles, seat belts, and airbags can cause bruising and swelling if a passenger comes into contact with them with great force. This can cause swelling and soreness that may need medical attention.
Burns
When seated behind the wheel of a vehicle or as a passenger in vehicle steel and other auto parts that can become flammable surround you. Most importantly an engine and motor can catch fire causing burns to an accident victim’s body. These high-temperature metals can leave lasting marks.
Cuts, Lacerations and Open Wounds
Glass, metal parts, and severe impact can all cause passengers to become injured with cuts, gouges, and lacerations. If these cuts are near arteries or veins, the injuries can be life threatening. In addition, deep cuts can harbor infections and can cause accident victims to bleed heavily.
Broken Bones
As with other injuries, an impact can cause bones to move and break free from their proper places. Paramedics can usually identify broken bones from swelling and protruding skin.
Amputation
Though this can be the most extremely external injury, they occur quite frequently. Great force and broken glass can be the chief culprits of amputation in an auto accident and one of the most life-threatening.
Seeking Help For Your Injuries
Being involved in a car accident doesn’t make anyone’s to-do list for the day, but every day someone is involved in an accident. Unfortunately, they can cause serious injury or can be deadly. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and suffered injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important that you discuss your injuries with a personal injury lawyer to determine whether you are entitled to compensation.