The moment after a car accident can be shocking and confusing. You may not have time to assess all your personal injuries while you check the damage to your vehicle, call the police, and deal with insurance companies. But your own personal health is the most important factor to consider after a car accident, and while some of your injuries may not be readily apparent, you may be hurt and need medical help.
Go to the Hospital
While self-diagnoses is common and can be helpful for very minor injuries, you should almost always seek medical care after any accident. In fact, unless you were in an incredibly minor, low speed accident, you should always go to the hospital to get a full medical evaluation.
This evaluation can also help your personal injury case later on. If the case goes to a trial the defendant may request a medical evaluation during the discovery phase. But it is important to have one directly after the accident or many of your injuries could heal by the time you finally get your case heard in court. Additionally if you are settling the claim with an insurance adjuster, documentation from a medical doctor detailing your injuries will greatly aid the adjuster in determining the damages you deserve.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
A car accident can result in brutal trauma on your body that can injure you in various ways. While a medical doctor should do the heavy lifting in determining your injuries, there are some common personal damages for which you should be aware.
- Head Injuries – these types of injuries vary from mild concussions to severe brain trauma. In a high speed collision the driver can strike their head on the steering wheel if the airbag does not deploy quickly enough, resulting in these types of trauma.
- Back Injuries – Drivers or passengers can face damage to the spinal cords or herniated disks caused by the force of an accident.
- Neck Injuries – Whiplash is the most common type of neck injury in a car accident. It occurs when a moving car stops suddenly and the neck lurches forward. Usually whiplash results in pain and swelling around the neck but can also lead to vocal paralysis.
- Chest Injuries – Blunt force trauma resulting from an accident can lead to broken ribs, collapsed lungs, or even cardiac arrest. While these injuries should be apparent, the internal bleeding associated with them might not be immediately noticeable.
There are a multitude of other injuries that can be sustained from a car accident. The only way to know all the injuries you suffered is through a comprehensive medical examination. The more information, the better, to assist you with a subsequent lawsuit or insurance claim.
Contact an Experienced Cleveland Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have suffered personal injury because of a car accident in the city of Cleveland or Cuyahoga County, contact a personal injury attorney with the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers today. We can help you assess the damages related to you accident and seek the maximum compensation for the pain you endured. Contact us for a free consultation.
