Car accidents can cause a range of injuries, from whiplash to broken bones to brain trauma. In some cases, the symptoms may not even be noticeable until days or months after the accident. Physical injuries are not the only consequence felt by the victim, but severe emotional effects and ongoing financial problems can also have a long-term impact.
Discussed below are some of the long-term physical, emotional and financial effects experienced by victims who have been involved in an auto accident.
Physical Effects of a Car Accident
Car accidents often cause immediate and visible physical injuries, but many victims also experience long-term health problems that can take weeks, months, or even years to fully surface. From cuts and fractures to severe spinal damage or traumatic brain injuries, the physical aftermath of a collision can be painful, debilitating, and life changing.
- Cuts
Car accidents can cause minor and major cuts from contact with sharp metal, broken glass and flying debris. Cuts can lead to skin infections or leave permanent scars.
- Burns
Burns occur in crashes in which the impact ruptures a fuel line or gas tank and will trigger an explosion. Victims may also suffer thermal burns from contact with hot parts of the vehicle or friction burns from being dragged for a distance. Burns can lead to permanent scarring as well as related problems such as contractures, or the tightening of skin, muscles and tendons due to scar tissue.
- Soft Tissue Damage
Muscles, tendons and ligaments can undergo enduring damage due to the sudden, awkward body movements that a person experiences in a collision. The most common injury is the straining of the soft tissue in the neck better known as whiplash. This condition can lead to long-term chronic pain and discomfort.
- Fractures
A person’s body gets thrown around in a crash and the sudden movement can easily lead to wrist, arm, leg, ankle, collarbone and rib fractures. A more serious fracture may take an extended period of time to heal and could result in a life-long disability.
- Back and Spine Injuries
The back and spinal cord are highly susceptible to damage in a crash. The accident may aggravate a pre-existing back condition or the victim may suffer from partial, total paralysis or the loss of feeling and use of one’s limbs.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Many victims encounter concussions without realizing it due to the shock and adrenaline. In cases of severe TBI, victims may fall into a coma and/or die from damage to the brain.
- Internal Organ Damage
The impact in a crash may cause an object to puncture an organ or cause a compression of the organs. If internal bleeding occurs, it may be a sign of a serious life-threatening problem.
Emotional Effects of a Car Accident
The trauma of a car accident doesn’t always end when the physical wounds heal. Many victims suffer lasting emotional effects, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can disrupt daily life, relationships, and overall mental health for months or even years after the crash.
- Anxiety and Depression
Even minor collisions can cause victims of an accident long-term anxiety and fears about driving, riding in a car or passing the site of an accident. Feelings of sadness or depression after a car accident are very common, and often go hand-in-hand with the symptoms of anxiety.
- Sleep Disorders
Stress from a traumatic event like a car accident can cause a wide range of sleep disorders. The stress causes the release of neurochemicals such as epinephrine and adrenaline and those neurochemicals can disturb the victim’s sleep by keeping them awake or causing nightmares and flashbacks.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Driving or being a passenger involved in a severe accident, or witnessing a disturbing injury or death may increase the risk of developing PTSD. A person with PTSD may be unable to work or maintain healthy relationships with friends or family.
Financial Effects of a Car Accident
Beyond the physical and emotional toll, car accidents often create serious financial burdens for victims and their families. Medical bills, property damage, loss of income, and necessary living adjustments can quickly add up, leaving victims struggling to manage expenses and rebuild their lives.
- Property Damage
A car accident can cause major cosmetic and mechanical damage to a car and will diminish the car’s value with a crash on its record. If the damages to the car exceed a specific percentage of the vehicle’s value, the auto insurance company responsible for paying repair costs may determine the vehicle a total loss.
- Medical Expenses
Medical treatment has the greatest financial effect on auto accident victims and their families because the costs can be exorbitant. This is especially true if a person suffers injuries that require surgery, hospitalization, medication, assistive devices and ongoing care and attention.
- Living Adjustments
If a person suffers from a serious physical disability after a car accident, the person’s home and living arrangements may need to undergo extensive modification. The remodeling costs can add up quickly and insurance may not cover it all.
- Loss of Income
An accident victim may suffer from a partial or total disability that prevents the person from returning to work at full capacity or returning to work at all. When assessing lost income costs, it is important to look at the person’s average weekly earnings, education, training and experience as well as how many years the person would have likely worked.
Get Help After a Car Accident
If you or a loved one is dealing with the long-term physical, emotional, or financial effects of a car accident, you don’t have to face it alone. The Paul Powell Law Firm is here to help you navigate the legal process, fight for the compensation you deserve, and focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation — and let us help you move forward with confidence.