car crash injury attorneys
Important Car Accident Injury Information
Across America , over 2 million people are injured in automobile accidents every year. Injuries to the back, neck and spine can range from mild sprains to severe paralysis and even death. Unfortunately, these injuries are often overlooked and when not diagnosed properly, can lead to a lifetime of pain and discomfort.
The most common type of accident is a rear end collision and even though these accidents involve vehicles traveling at lower speeds, severe injuries can still occur. The most common type of spinal and back injury is a herniated disc. During the accident, violent forces shift the small bones connected to the spine out of alignment. These bones, called discs, begin to bulge and put a tremendous amount of pressure on the spine. As this pressure builds, pain increases and the victim may feel numbness and tingling in his/her extremities. Usually the symptoms of a herniated disc are mild at first and often go unnoticed, but as the pain worsens, car accident victims usually end up limping into chiropractic offices and emergency rooms seeking treatment.
The only way to officially diagnose a herniated disc is through an MRI. This is because there are many other back injuries that can mimic disc injuries. Back strains are one such injury. back strains result from irregular twisting during an auto accident. This twisting causes injuries to the muscles and tendons of the back. These injuries, known as strains, can mimic herniated disc injuries and lead to weeks and months of missed work and pain.
Another common injury that occurs during rear end collisions is whiplash. Forces from the collision cause the neck and head to snap back violently, resulting in damage to the bone structures and soft tissue surrounding the cervical vertebrae of the neck. Stiffness in the neck, pain and tingling are often signs of whiplash. Luckily, whiplash is not life threatening but it can result in significant and prolonged disability if not treated properly. In fact, economic expenses relating to whiplash are estimated to reach 30 billion dollars a year throughout the United States. These expenses include medical care, disability, sick leave and litigation.
In a side-impact collision or head-on collision, vehicles are often traveling at much higher speeds, and victims often have less warning. Injuries sustained in these accidents are much more severe and can lead to a lifetime of disabilities if not treated immediately. During the accident, sudden forces can shift the spinal column violently out of place causing spinal fractures. These fractures can be mild and require surgery or they can be severe and leave the victim with partial or complete paralysis. Where the fracture occurs depends on the severity of the paralysis. If the fracture occurs in the cervical vertebrae of the neck, the victim will be paralyzed from the neck down. If the fracture occurs in the lumbar vertebrae of the back, paralysis is often confined below the waist.
During side-impact or head on collisions, the head may be forced violently into a blunt object, such as teh steering wheel, dashboard, or the seat in front of you. This collision can cause a severe internal injury known as a contusion. When the head strikes a blunt object, it can cause the blood vessels inside the brain to rupture. As the blood pools inside of the brain, the brain is compressed against the rigid walls of the skull. If the brain is compressed long enough, it becomes deprived of oxygen and irreparable brain damage can occur causing severe disabilities, comas and even death.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an automobile or truck accident, it is crucial that you receive medical attention promptly. Unfortunately, the vast majorities of these injuries are often overlooked and can lead to permanent disabilities and a lifetime of pain and suffering. Injuries to the spine, neck and back should never be ignored; after all, what begins as a minor back strain can quickly turn into a chronic back injury if not properly treated.
Seek out the council of an experienced automobile accident attorney. You may be able to recover damages from the person who hit you, and your own insurance company. If you are the victim of an automobile accident, the accident attorneys of Buxton & Luther can provide you with a free initial consultation and discuss your options with you. Please call us toll-free at (800) 435-0586, email us at info@buxtonluther.com, or use our contact form.
Denver INjury Law Office
7375 East Orchard, Suite 300
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Phone: (800) 435-0586
Fax: (888) 543-0928
Email: Denver@BuxtonLuther.com
Colorado Springs Injury Law Office
1230 Tenderfoot Hill Road, Suite 305
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
Phone: (719) 471-2104
Fax: (888) 543-0928
Email: ColoradoSprings@BuxtonLuther.com
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