Common Car Accident Injuries

Drivers in the U.S. travel over 3 million miles each year and nearly 2.5 million people are hurt in accidents across the nation, according to crash data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration*.

While the circumstances surrounding every accident are unique, vehicle occupants tend to suffer certain injuries more frequently than others. Most car accident injuries usually fall into two broad categories: impact injuries and penetrating injuries.

Some injuries may be minor and may require little medical attention, while others may be catastrophic or even fatal. For people who survive a severe injury accident, the road to recovery can be extremely challenging. If someone else’s reckless or negligent act caused the accident, victims could be eligible to take legal action to secure compensation from the person responsible.

If you or your loved one sustained catastrophic injuries in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence in Texas, you should seek help from a Houston car accident lawyer. Do not wait to contact Fleming Law.

Call us or fill out an online contact form to have our attorney provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Houston?

The nature of the personal injuries that car crash victims suffer can vary depending on multiple factors. The speeds that vehicles were traveling, the point of impact, where occupants were seated, and other factors can all play a role in how seriously people are harmed.

In general, some of the most frequent injuries people suffer in car crashes in Texas include:

Most victims quickly become aware of the limitations that severe injuries and long-term disabilities will create in their daily life, but insurance companies routinely undervalue the extent of the losses. You do not have to accept a settlement from an insurer that does not provide for all of your past, present, and future needs.

How Do Car Accident Injuries Happen?

While the impact of a collision can cause serious harm to the occupants of a vehicle, the resulting chain of events can also lead to serious injuries. Shards of glass and flying debris can cause further harm. If the vehicle rolls over, the driver and any passengers risk being crushed. If a vehicle’s occupant is thrown from the vehicle, they could be seriously or fatally injured.

During a crash, the sudden force of impact can cause soft tissue injuries (often in the neck and lower back) including whiplash, muscle strains and sprains, and other problems. Scrapes and cuts are also commonly reported from flying glass and debris, including unsecured items in the vehicle (phones, purses, cups, etc.) that can become dangerous projectiles.

It is not uncommon for people to report chest injuries after a crash. People often report bruises or contusions from the seatbelt or may suffer broken ribs or internal organ damage if they strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or doors in a motor vehicle collision. Arms, legs, and extremities also can be hurt if they strike the doors, dashboard, or other hard surfaces in the vehicle.

Injuries to the head are unfortunately also common. The jarring force of impact can throw the person’s head and neck to the front, back, or side, easily causing a concussion or more severe TBI. If the person’s head strikes a surface inside the vehicle with great force, they could suffer a disabling TBI.

Along with the person’s head, emergency personnel will immediately check to make sure a person’s spine was not damaged in an accident. Injuries to the spine can happen due to impact or penetration, and they require immediate medical attention and treatment.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Car Accident?

When you are involved in any car crash, you should immediately seek medical care. You should do this regardless of whether you think you were hurt at first. The trauma of a crash can mask symptoms, and some very serious injuries do not show symptoms for hours, days or even longer after a crash.

Another valuable step to take after a car accident is to take multiple pictures of the scene of the crash scene. Get photographs of everything relating to the accident, from the vehicles to the road to any other contributing factors, and take pictures from several different angles and distances.

If anybody saw your crash, be sure to get their names and phone numbers. These people could end up being valuable witnesses later on.

Make sure to contact authorities and file a police report. Do not let the other driver discourage you from contacting law enforcement, as police reports can be very valuable to your case and you will want to have a record of the crash created.

Finally, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Make sure that you contact an attorney before you speak to any insurance company representatives.

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Car Accident Injuries?

In most cases, the negligent driver will be responsible for all damages caused. The negligent driver’s insurance company will try to find any way possible to minimize or completely deny liability for their client. The insurance company’s goal is to pay out as little as possible.

Other parties could be liable in some cases. In accidents involving multiple vehicles, it could be possible that more than one driver shares liability for a crash.

Not all car accidents necessarily involve other vehicles. Some crashes are the result of mechanical issues with automobiles, and people injured in these cases could have claims against other parties. For example, a crash that was caused by a defective part could make the manufacturer of that part liable. If an accident is caused by an improperly repaired vehicle, then a maintenance company could be liable.

Passengers in single-vehicle crashes may have a valid claim against the driver if the crash resulted from the driver’s negligence.

Liability in many car crashes can be complex, and you will want to make sure that you work with an attorney so an independent investigation of your accident can be performed. Quick action is often required so key evidence can be preserved to prove negligence later on.

Contact Us Now for Legal Help with Your Car Accident Injury Claim

You deserve quality legal representation if you’ve been hurt in an accident in Houston. With so much on the line, you should choose a legal team with the right experience and qualifications to seek results for you.

When you need help, turn to us to get the answers, justice, and compensation you need.

Fleming Law represents injured people throughout the greater Houston area. You can have our team review the details of your accident and discuss all of your legal options when you call us or contact us online to receive a free consultation.