The Most Common Passenger Injuries in Car Accidents
Topics: passenger victim, auto accident
When you’re riding as a passenger in a vehicle, your life and safety are in someone else’s hands. Being injured as a passenger in a car crash can be a life-changing experience that may have a long-term negative impact on your health, family, work and lifestyle.
In 2022, 3,652 Floridians died in a car accident. When looking at the entire United States, there were 42,795 victims of fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Car accident victims often see common car accident injuries across the board. If you're the victim of a car accident, keep an eye out for these common injuries so you can seek medical attention right away.
Common Types of Injuries Sustained as a Passenger in a Car Crash
There are countless types of injuries that can be sustained in a car crash. As a passenger, becoming severely injured from hitting the dashboard or being ejected through the windshield or windows is a very real possibility.
Some common car accident passenger injuries include:
Neck and Back Injuries
Whiplash, spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, sprains and strains — all of these injuries can have painful consequences that may not be immediately evident following a car crash.
Brain and Head Injuries
Brain and head injuries, like a traumatic brain injury or blunt force trauma if hitting a steering wheel, are also common after a motor vehicle accident. These are serious injuries that both front and backseat passengers may experience.
Facial Injuries or Disfiguration
Lacerations and other damage to the head and face may leave lasting scars and require plastic surgery.
Burn Injuries
Serious burns are painful and may require skin grafting and ongoing medical treatment. Burns also can result in scarring and chronic pain issues.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Torn or strained muscles, tendons, or ligaments can lead to significant, lingering pain and discomfort.
Spinal Injuries
Depending on the severity of your car accident injuries, spinal cord damage can result in a loss of movement, numbness, nerve pain, and paralysis.
Broken Bones
Broken bones, broken ribs, and joint shock may require extended periods of time to heal and may even need surgery to repair. These are common arm and leg injuries you may experience.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not a traditional injury, it is still a mental health condition that can contribute to your pain and suffering after an auto accident.
Treating Car Crash Injuries
These are just a few of the types of injuries that may occur when you are the victim of a car crash. Many of these injuries aren’t immediately apparent after a motor vehicle accident — it may take days to manifest pain or discomfort in your neck or back even though the damage was caused by the crash.
If left untreated, many types of injuries will worsen and can cause a variety of long-term health problems, including chronic pain, numbness, and loss of ability to perform everyday tasks, work, and enjoy the things you used to do before the accident. You also may experience ongoing headaches, increased stress, or emotional difficulties that are a direct result of the trauma from your car accident injuries.
It's also critical that, in Florida, you seek treatment as soon as possible. You have fourteen days to seek medical attention for car crashes. If you don't see a doctor within the 14 day time window, your insurance company may deny your accident claim.
What to Do If You Are Injured In a Car Crash
After any accident, your health and well-being should be your first priority. It is vital to seek medical care right away. It is also essential to seek the counsel of an experienced car accident attorney who can help to ensure that your medical costs are paid and that you receive just compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. We've put together a list of 3 things you should ask yourself after a car accident.
If you have your own car insurance policy in Florida, PIP insurance may cover some of your medical expenses, but medical care often costs much more than your PIP insurance will pay.
Because of the many minute details involved in insurance claims, it is essential to have an experienced attorney in your corner to help you deal with the insurance claims and adjusters. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and many will try to dispute your claim or try to pay the least amount of compensation possible. A car crash attorney will communicate with your medical providers, and negotiate with insurers to make sure that your rights are protected so you receive the optimal compensation to which you are entitled.
If You've Been Injured as a Passenger in a Car Crash, We Can Help
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as the result of a motor vehicle accident, our experienced and compassionate personal injury attorneys are here to help in the Tampa Bay area.
Our skilled legal team will assess your case, fight for your rights and help you to receive the compensation you deserve. For more information or to schedule a consultation for your auto accident claim, contact Lowman Law Firm in Hernando County at 352-888-4484 or toll-free at 866-9-LOWMAN.
