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Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Massachusetts Attorney Assisting Victims of Car Accidents

When a car accident happens, it can be impossible to avoid suffering serious and painful injuries. This is especially true when the crash takes place at high speed or in an intersection. Having served numerous victims in vehicle accident matters, our legal team has encountered a wide variety of collision types and injuries. While some injuries are minor and will get better over time, other common injuries in car accidents can completely change the victim’s life and his or her family members’ lives too. If you were injured as the result of another driver’s failure to pay attention and follow the rules, a Massachusetts car accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates PC is ready to help you pursue the settlement or the judgment that you deserve.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents in Peabody, Massachusetts

In the state of Massachusetts, car accidents are a common occurrence. And with these motor vehicle accidents come a variety of injuries. Some of the most common injuries in car accidents include neck and back injuries, whiplash, headaches, fractured bones, and soft tissue damage.

If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing any type of pain or discomfort, it is important that you seek medical attention immediately. Also, if you want to get paid for the injuries you got in a car accident, you will need to hire an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you through the legal process.

At the Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates, P.C., we have over 25 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Massachusetts. We understand the ins and outs of the legal system and will do everything in our power to get you the compensation that you deserve. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle crash, please do not hesitate to reach out to our law office for a free consultation.

Why do I need an Attorney for Common Injuries in Car Accidents in Massachusetts?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a personal injury attorney for common injuries in car accidents in Massachusetts can help you recover damages like medical bills from your car insurance or insurance company. Many people think that their case is simple and that they do not need an attorney.

However, insurance companies are complex organizations with their own teams of lawyers. An experienced car accident lawyer will know how to navigate the insurance system to get you the best possible outcome.

The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates, P.C. has a team of experienced car accident attorneys who are dedicated to getting our clients the compensation they deserve. 

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call our law office today for a free consultation. We’ll review your personal injury case and explain how we can help you get the best possible outcome.

What are the Common Injuries in Car Accidents?

Common injuries in car accidents can be defined as “any personal injuries sustained by a person as a result of being involved in a motor vehicle accident such as a car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident.” In the state of Massachusetts, vehicular accidents can also include property damage.

If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention even if you do not think you have been injured. Some injuries, like whiplash, may not hurt right away, but they can still cause pain and suffering for a long time.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries and hold the driver or other party responsible for what happened to you.

Impact and Penetrating Injuries

Most injuries caused by car accidents fall into two major categories:

(1) impact injuries, and

(2) penetrating injuries.

Impact injuries are often produced when a person’s body hits some portion of the interior of a car. For example, a knee hitting a dashboard or a head hitting the seat rest or the side window. 

Penetrating injuries are often cuts and scrapes caused by breaking glass or other items flying inside the car. 

Soft Tissue Car Accident Injury

Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. Common soft tissue injuries include whiplash, neck strains and sprains, and back strains and sprains. These injuries can range from mild to severe, and can cause significant pain and suffering.

Cuts and Scrapes

Any loose objects inside the automobile become projectiles thrown around the interior in the event of a car accident. Cell phones, coffee mugs, eyeglasses, purses, novels, and dash-mounted GPS systems are all examples. 

Any of these items can easily cut your skin or cause other injuries if they come into contact with your body. The majority of scrapes and cuts are small and do not require medical attention. Severe injuries may necessitate sutures. When airbags deploy in an accident, they can inflict cuts and scrapes.

Head Injury

A variety of head injuries exist, ranging from mild to severe. Drivers’ and passengers’ heads may move in unexpected and unnatural ways when a car comes to a quick stop or changes course.

When someone’s head hits a side window or the steering wheel, the head can be injured or damaged. In a severe head accident, brain tissue and blood vessels can get bruised and torn. This is called a “closed head injury.”

Traumatic Brain Injury

Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which occur when the brain is damaged by a blow or piercing injury to the head. TBI can cause a wide range of short-and long-term impairments, and it claims the lives of 50,000 Americans each year. 

Common types of TBI include concussions, contusions, and coup-contrecoup injuries. Concussions are the most common type of TBI, and they often occur in low-speed collisions. Contusions occur when the brain collides with the skull, and coup-contrecoup injuries involve both direct and indirect forces.

In Massachusetts, car accidents are the leading cause of TBI for people under the age of 44.

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of sensation and/or motor function. The degree of disability caused by a spinal cord injury depends on where the injury is and how bad it is.

The level of the injury is determined by the lowest segment of the spinal cord that still works normally. The severity of the injury is divided into two categories: “complete” and “incomplete.”

When all capacity to control motion and practically all feeling is gone below the level of the injury, it is called a total injury. When some sensation and motor function remain below the level of the injury, it is called an incomplete injury.

The severity of incomplete damage varies. In tetraplegia/quadriplegia, paralysis from a spinal cord injury can affect the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.

In paraplegia, it can affect part or all of the trunk, pelvic organs, and legs. Spinal cord injuries can be devastating and life-changing.

Back Injury

Back injuries are widespread as a result of car accidents since the human body and spine are not intended to withstand such force. Back injuries may take time to manifest after an injury. A major back injury can cause severe and long-term pain and impairment.

Chest Injury

Chest injuries are some of the most common types of injuries sustained in car accidents. Painful bruising, broken ribs, and internal trauma are all relatively common chest ailments that can be caused by car accidents. When drivers make contact with the steering wheel, they frequently sustain chest injuries. Chest injuries can also be caused by seat belts and dashboards.

Arms and Legs Injury

In Massachusetts, the most common injuries in car accidents are to the arms and legs. These injuries can be bruises, scratches, sprains, or fractures. The severity of the injury depends on the nature of the accident. For example, if you are hit from the side, your arms and legs may be thrown into the door. If you are hit from behind, your knees may collide with the dashboard or the seat in front of you.

Burns

A burn is a type of injury to the skin or other tissues that happens when heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation damage the body. Burns can occur if a car catches fire after a collision or if skin comes into contact with hot fluids, surfaces, steam, or chemicals.

Burns that are extremely severe may necessitate surgery and skin grafts. The severity of a burn is based on how deep it is and how much surface area it affects.

In Massachusetts, there are three types of burns that commonly occur: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. 

  • A first-degree burn is when the top layer of skin is burned. This type of burn is also called a superficial burn.
  • A second-degree burn is when the second layer of skin is burned. This type of burn is also called a partial-thickness burn.
  • A third-degree burn is when all layers of the skin are burned, and the bone or muscle may be affected as well. This type of burn is also called a full-thickness burn.

Internal Injury

Internal injuries are some of the most serious injuries that can be sustained in a car accident. When the body collides with an object or is struck by flying debris, internal organs can be damaged. 

This type of injury often results in internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Common internal injuries include damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys, and liver.

Broken bones and fractures

Broken bones and fractures are some of the most common injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Common injuries include broken legs, ribs, arms, ankles, and wrists. A shattered pelvis is also a relatively common injury among vehicle accident victims. The severity of a break can range from minor breaks that require a cast to catastrophic breaks or compound fractures that may necessitate surgery. In some cases, the victim may need long-term care or even be disabled for life.

Scars and disfiguring facial injuries

A driver or passenger may be partially or fully ejected from the vehicle during a serious car crash. The impact with the ground or another object can cause facial lacerations, fractures, or other damage. 

If the victim is wearing their seatbelt, the seatbelt may cut into their skin, leaving a permanent scar. Facial reconstruction surgery may be necessary to repair the damage. In some cases, accident victims may be left with a permanent scar or disfigurement.

Amputation and limb loss

While there are many different types of injuries that a person can suffer in a car accident, some are more common than others. One of the most serious types of injuries is amputation, or limb loss. This can occur when a person’s arm, leg, finger, or toe is severely damaged or severed in an accident. 

In some cases, the limb can be saved with surgery, but often amputation is the only option. People who have lost limbs often face a lot of problems and may be permanently disabled because of their injury.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a term used to describe muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries, such as neck pain caused by damage to the soft tissue of the neck in a car collision. 

Whiplash can occur at speeds as low as 15 mph, whether or not the driver is wearing a seatbelt. Car accidents can potentially cause severe disk injuries and cervical dislocation.

Knee Injury

Knee injuries are also common in car accidents. Knees can be hurt in car accidents if they collide with any portion of the vehicle. Bruises to multiple fractures are examples of wounds that can be sustained in a car accident. 

If the knee is twisted or turned abruptly in an accident, the meniscus, or cartilage in the knee, can rupture.

Shoulder injury

Shoulder injuries are relatively common in car accidents, as the force of the impact can cause the shoulder to be locked in place. This can result in excessive force being applied to the shoulder, leading to injury.

Wrist and hand injuries

Wrist and hand injuries are also common in car accidents. One of the most common injuries is a fracture of the distal radius, which is the bone that extends from the elbow to the wrist. These fractures can range from minor to severe, and may require surgery to heal properly.

Ankle and Foot Injury

Ankle and foot injuries are also common in car accidents. These injuries can range from strains and sprains to fractures and amputations. In severe cases, the force of the impact can cause the feet or toes to be severed from the body entirely.

Lacerations, Bruises, and Road rash

Lacerations can be caused by broken glass, shredded sheet metal, or flying projectiles. Bruises are caused by the body colliding with an object, or vice versa. Abrasion generated by friction from being dragged or skidding on pavement or concrete is known as road rash. 

Crush Injury

Crush injuries can happen to any portion of the body caught between two objects that are being pressed together under pressure. There may be small cuts and bruises, as well as more serious damage to organs, muscles, bones, and tissue.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Mental and emotional damage are just as real as physical injuries suffered in car accidents. You may be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a collision.

If the accident was particularly severe, you may relive the event through nightmares and flashbacks. Even if you were not in the car when the accident occurred, you may develop PTSD from witnessing a loved one being injured or killed.

It is noted that people with PTSD often feel depressed, anxious, and irritable. You may have trouble sleeping and concentrating.

You may also startle easily and become withdrawn. When you have PTSD, you may have symptoms that make it hard to live your normal life.

Seeking Compensation from a Careless Driver

If you were injured in a car accident, you can assert a negligence claim against the person who caused the crash to recover compensation for your injuries. 

The first step is showing that the other driver owed you a duty of care. 

Under Massachusetts law, all drivers have a duty to act with reasonable care and skill when operating a motor vehicle. This includes paying attention to their surroundings, avoiding distractions like texting, and obeying traffic laws. 

Next, you must show that the at-fault driver did not operate his or vehicle pursuant to this standard of care. 

Obtaining a copy of a police report prepared following the crash or any other evidence such as witness statements can be a helpful step towards showing that the other driver breached the standard of care.

The third step requires you to show that you would not have been injured but for the defendant’s failure to drive appropriately. 

If the defendant can show that something else caused your injuries, including your own careless driving, then you may be barred from recovering compensation from that defendant.

Finally, you will be asked to provide documentation supporting the amount of compensation that you are seeking. 

This includes medical bills, paystubs, medical records showing the future medical care that you will need, pharmacy bills, and more. A skilled accident attorney can help you ensure that you request the full amount of compensation you may be owed.

Massachusetts Lawyer Advocating for Car Accident Victims

If you feel overwhelmed and stressed out following a car accident, you are not alone. The vast majority of victims have never been involved in a crash and often have many questions about what they should do to protect their legal rights and seek recovery through insurance policies or other means. 

Our seasoned team of legal professionals offers a free consultation to discuss your situation and the course of action that might be best for you and your family. We are available to represent injured victims in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Quincy, Dedham, Newton, Norwood, Somerville, Brookline, and Peabody. To schedule your appointment with an attorney, contact us online.

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