Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic experience, even if the injuries are minor. But when there are serious injuries (or fatalities) as a result of a car accident, the trauma only intensifies. Because of their size and weight, when cars collide or when cars collide with trucks, the chances of there being serious injury are very high. The car accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm want you to focus on healing after your car accident; leave the legal aspect of your accident to us. We have successfully represented thousands of auto accident victims and have worked to ensure they receive fair compensation for their damages.

What is the potential for auto injury when you drive your car? Every year, auto accidents cause as many as 74,000 pedestrian injuries. Over 150,000 individuals visit our nation’s emergency rooms due to fingers slammed in car doors.

These injuries are minor, however, when compared to the statistics for common car accident injuries.

The head, neck and back are most commonly injured in auto accidents. Other commonly injured body parts include internal organs, legs and arms.

Head and Neck Auto Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI, or traumatic brain injury, is an extremely complex and damaging auto injury occurring more commonly in side impact crashes.TBI can cause temporary or permanent impairment of brain functions, fractures to the skull, bruising of the brain (hematoma), and damage to nerves. An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT scan (Computed Tomography) is utilized to diagnose TBI.

TBI symptoms include:

  • Concussion and seizures
  • Headaches and dizziness
  • Concentration and memory difficulties
  • Anxiety, depression
  • Whiplash injury

Whiplash

Whiplash is an auto injury that affects the soft tissues of the neck. Whiplash is most common in rear end collisions. Pain, limited head and neck motion, and vision difficulties are several symptoms of whiplash. While no specific whiplash treatment is available, physicians have had some limited success alleviating pain with pain relievers and physical and rehabilitative therapies.

Disc Injury

Discs in the neck and spine may bulge, rupture or tear after an auto injury. Disc injury may not become apparent for months after the initial injury has occurred.

Other common car accident injuries include:

  • Back injuries (Thoracic, mid-back, lumbar and lower back discs, leading to disc compression or herniation)
  • Internal organs (heart, lungs, spleen, liver, kidney, ribs, etc.)
  • Shoulders, arms, hands and fingers
  • Hips, legs, knees, ankles, and feet (often mainly fractures)