Have you been involved in an auto accident? If you or a loved one were injured and you are looking for guidance to address an insurance claim or lawsuit, a Milwaukee car accident lawyer at our firm can help.
The injuries sustained in an accident can vary from minor to severe, even claiming a victim’s life. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of accidental injury in the United States and the most common source of personal injury lawsuits across the nation. More than 30,000 people die in traffic collisions in the U.S. each year, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle accidents have an $871 billion economic and societal impact on American citizens.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause both physical and emotional harm.
As far as physical injuries, some of the potential types of trauma sustained in a car accident include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Soft tissue trauma
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Dental injuries
- Facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (paralysis)
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Amputation/loss of limb
- Severe burns
- Disfigurement and scarring
A car accident can also have a lasting emotional and psychological impact on a victim, leading to loss of enjoyment of life, pain, suffering, an inability to take part in activities once enjoyed, post-traumatic stress disorder and issues with self-confidence due to scarring or disfigurement.
The extent of the injury suffered in a car accident will typically depend on several factors:
- Was the victim wearing a seat belt? Seat belt use may have a considerable impact on the severity of injuries in an auto accident. A properly fitting and functional seat belt can prevent a vehicle occupant from hitting the dashboard or steering wheel and can prevent ejection from the vehicle.
- Did the vehicle’s safety systems function properly? A crashworthy vehicle that is properly designed and manufactured is more likely to offer protection to an occupant in the event of a collision. A faulty airbag, seat belt or design defect may cause a victim increased injury.
- What was the force of impact? The speed at which a collision occurs will often directly influence the injuries that a victim sustains. The higher the speed, the greater the force of impact and the more likely it is for a victim to suffer catastrophic injury or death.
- Where was the location of the impact? The location of the victim about the location of impact may also influence the type and severity of car accident injuries. A collision on the passenger side of a vehicle, for example, is more likely to leave the passengers injured. A head-on collision is more likely to injure the driver and front-seat passenger.
- What were the relative size and weight of the vehicles involved? In a multi-vehicle collision, the relative size and weight of the vehicles involved is an important issue to consider. This applies in particular when a considerable size and weight disparity exists, as in an accident involving an 18-wheeler and a small sports car. The smaller vehicle is more likely to sustain extensive damage, and in turn, its occupants are more likely to be injured.
Injured? Call a Wisconsin car accident attorney at Cannon & Dunphy S.C.
It is important to consider any and all injuries associated with a car accident when pursuing just compensation. At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., we take care to carefully evaluate every aspect of a client’s injuries to determine the true worth of his or her claim. We then doggedly pursue a fair settlement or jury award to help our client recover the money that will help him or her begin rebuilding. Though it is certainly true that no amount of money could compensate a victim for what he or she has had to experience, it can alleviate financial burdens to help a victim create a better future.