As per a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2023 resulted in 19,515 deaths in the US. Out of them, 161 were in Massachusetts. Apart from these, hundreds of victims visited the emergency rooms. Understand different types of car accident injuries and learn your rights.
Car accidents are a reality we all face, regardless of fault. It’s important to remember that if you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have a right to compensation.
When can you claim compensation for your injuries in a car accident? What types of injuries qualify for a motor crash claim? And how do you get the deserved amount?
Let’s find out.
Car Accident Injuries
They are any physical harm to individuals involved in a crash. Although there are different types of road crash injuries, all of them can be divided into two major categories:
- Impact injury
- Penetrating injury
Impact injuries usually happen when a person’s body hits a part of the car’s interior. For example, a knee bumping into the dashboard or a head hitting the seat rest or side window.
On the other hand, penetrating injuries are cuts and scrapes that are a result of broken glass or objects flying around inside the car.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Minor injuries from car accidents usually heal on their own within a few days without needing medical help. And most of the time, people involved in minor mishaps do not seek legal attention.
However, more serious injuries can lead to lasting physical disabilities. These are the cases where a victim asks for compensation. How?
For example, suppose you met with an accident in Boston and aren’t responsible for the crash. Here, you can hire a car accident lawyer in Boston, MA, to get the deserved claim while treating your injuries.
What are the worst car crash injuries for which you can file a case?
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
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Orthopedic
An orthopedic injury is any harm to tendons, ligaments, joints, muscles, and bones. This can be a minor fracture or a serious broken bone.
There are different kinds of orthopedic injuries:
✔ Upper extremity: It includes upper body parts like broken ribs, shoulders, and arms.
✔ Lower extremity: This type involves injury to lower body parts, such as legs, hips, and ankles.
✔ Soft tissue: These injuries involve muscles, ligaments, and tendons and can occur with swelling and bruising.
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Neurological
They can also be called nerve damage injuries and affect the body’s central nervous system. These can be related to damage to the face, brain, leg, hands, fingers, shoulders, and other body parts.
Neurological can be further divided into three categories:
✔ Spinal nerve: It affects the body’s movement.
✔ Digital nerve: It is a result of a cut.
✔ Sensory nerve: This results in affected sensation.
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Skeletal
These are injuries to bones. Some common examples include fracture to:
✔ Rib
✔ Hip
✔ Femur
✔ Back
✔ Wrist
✔ Arm
✔ Skull
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Internal
When a car crash makes your body hit something, or you get struck by debris, your internal organs can get damaged. These injuries need emergency medical attention.
Different types of internal injuries include:
✔ Internal bleeding
✔ Broken ribs
✔ Compressed stomach
✔ Organ injury
✔ Pain
Rare Car Accident Injuries
These are uncommon injuries that can happen during a car accident. Some of the examples are below.
✔ Head trauma
✔ Loss of limb
✔ Mild head injuries – confusion, dizziness, nausea, etc.
✔ Inability to focus
✔ Pulmonary injury
✔ Psychological injuries – post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, etc.
What To Do After a Car Accident
As per the Insurance Information Institute (III), you should assess the situation immediately after an accident. After that, you can look at your vehicle and call 911. If you’re seriously injured, your vehicle is damaged, and you aren’t at fault, contact your MA car accident lawyer to take legal steps.
Below are some steps you should take immediately after a car accident:
Why Do You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
When injured in Boston, having a car accident lawyer in Boston on your side helps ensure fairness. They can start investigating immediately, collecting proof of the careless actions that led to your injuries.
This includes:
✔ Reporting the accident on your behalf
✔ Checking out the accident scene
✔ Talking to witnesses who saw what happened
✔ Figuring out your total damages, including pain and suffering
✔ Managing all communications with others for you
Here are some more reasons to hire one of the Boston car accident attorneys:
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A Good Knowledge of the Law
Unless you have legal training, you probably don’t know which laws apply to your situation, like comparative fault and the time limits for filing a personal injury claim.
An experienced lawyer knows personal injury law well. They can identify your case’s legal issues and relevant laws and explain how the local courts interpret them.
Hiring an injury attorney who understands the law increases your chances of winning the case and getting full compensation for your injuries, not just what the insurance company wants to give you.
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Supporting Your Case With Evidence
Your car accident claim is only as strong as the evidence you can provide. By thoroughly investigating your accident, your lawyer will gather enough evidence to link your injuries to the accident.
This evidence will support your claim with insurers and in court if needed. Evidence in your case might include:
✔ Video footage from nearby businesses or witnesses
✔ Photos of the accident scene from intersection cameras or witnesses
✔ Photos taken by you and passersby
✔ Accident reports
✔ Statements from witnesses
✔ Medical records
✔ Medical scans and tests
Sometimes, an accident reconstruction expert is needed to determine how the crash happened and who was at fault. They can also determine if a vehicle defect caused the accident.
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Filing and Handling a Court Case
If negotiations outside of court don’t work out, the lawyer will help you take the case to court. This process can be more time-consuming and costly.
If you handle it alone, the at-fault party and their insurance company might try to stop you from suing. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you won’t have to give in to this pressure or drop your claim.
Your lawyer will help you file your case and make sure all necessary documents are submitted. They will provide skilled legal representation in court, answer questions on your behalf, and keep you updated on the proceedings.
They will present all the evidence strategically and use their expertise to increase your chances of getting full compensation and justice for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured in Boston in a car accident and require legal assistance, contact Swartz & Swartz. We are an experienced car accident lawyer in Boston, MA, helping people injured in motor crashes to get the deserved compensation.
Call +1 (617) 742-1900 for a free consultation!
About the Author: James Swartz
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