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What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

Cleveland car accident attorneys representing victims with brain, spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries from car crashes throughout Ohio

Car accidents often result in some of the most serious injury cases our attorneys in Ohio handle. From broken bones to severe head injuries, auto accidents can cause serious injuries and permanent disabilities that can have an impact on every part of the victim’s life. To ensure you are fully compensated for your losses, you need an experienced Ohio car accident attorney investigating your case. We want to help.

At Merriman Legal, LLC, our legal team has years of experience fighting for the rights of auto accident injury victims in Cleveland, Columbus and throughout Ohio. Injury victims routinely rely on us because they know we work tirelessly on every single case – relentlessly pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.

Find out more about common auto accident injuries in Ohio

Thousands of people are injured in car accidents in Ohio every year. Some of the most common injuries we deal with at our law firm include:

Car accident injuries might seem straightforward at first glance. If the other driver clearly caused your accident, you might think you won’t need an attorney to help. The temptation to “go it alone” may be especially strong if an insurance company has contacted you and made an offer to pay for your injury-related expenses.

But we strongly recommend you consult with an attorney first. Your auto accident injury claim could turn out to be much more complicated than you first suspected. Insurance companies know this. That’s why they will likely make you a low-ball offer before you know the full extent of the financial impact of your accident.

Contact us to discuss the details of your case. If we believe the offer from an insurance company is good, we’ll recommend you take it. If not, we’ll get straight to work investigating your case and fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve. Schedule a no cost consultation right away with our firm. Call 866-823-3332.

Concussion

Often caused by a blow to the head or violent motion, a concussion is a type of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that affects a person’s ability to think or function normally. Often, the effects of a concussion are temporary and last several days. However, repeated concussions can permanently affect a brain’s ability to function.

Seek immediate medical help if you suspect that you or a loved one has sustained a concussion in a car accident. Symptoms of a concussion can include problems concentrating, memory loss, poor coordination and balance.

While a concussion might seem mild, it’s critical that you have a doctor examine you immediately. You could have a severe brain injury or life-threatening internal bleeding. That’s why it’s important to have a doctor diagnose you, then contact our law firm.

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Head Injury

An injury to the head caused by a car accident can be catastrophic. Beyond concussions, a severe head injury can result in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The brain may be bruised as a result if it bumping against the skull.

TBIs and other severe head injuries can result in permanent brain damage that can affect a person’s ability to function normally for the rest of his or her life.

Other types of head injuries caused by car accidents include:

  • Hematoma – internal bleeding in the brain
  • Contusion – bruise on the brain
  • Skull fracture

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Neck Injury

Injuries to the neck can have devastating consequences. If your neck is broken and your spinal cord is damaged, you could permanently lose the use of your arms and legs. Even minor neck injuries like a sprained or bruised neck can be extremely painful and disruptive.

One of the most common neck injuries caused by car accidents is whiplash, a sprain or strain to the neck. Rear-end car accidents often cause whiplash injuries, which can be extremely painful and demand immediate medical attention.

Other common types of neck injuries include pinched nerve (technically called cervical radiculopathy), herniated disc (sometimes called slipped discs or ruptured discs). A neck injury can also crossover to a back injury.

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Back Injury

Injuries to the back caused by car accidents are among the most serious injuries we handle at our car accident law firm. From back sprains to a broken back, many different types of back injuries can occur due to auto accidents. The most serious type of back injury involves damage to the spinal cord, which can result in permanent paralysis (please see section below).

Other types of back injuries caused by car accidents include:

  • Back strains
  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Herniated disc

A back injury can severely limit a person’s ability to move temporarily or permanently, depending on the type of injury. In either case, it’s critical that you receive the proper medical care and legal counsel after your car accident.

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Spinal Cord Injury

Injuries to the spine caused by car accidents can vary widely. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, a spinal cord injury can permanently affect a person’s ability to walk or function normally for the rest of his or her life.

In general, the higher the spinal cord injury, the more severe the injury. Another factor is whether the injury was a “complete” or “incomplete” spinal cord injury. Complete spinal cord injuries prevent all signals in the spine from being transmitted to different parts of the body. As a result, victims of complete spinal cord injuries are paralyzed below the injury. People who sustain incomplete spinal cord injuries have some movement and feeling below the injury.

There are two main types of paralysis injuries – “paraplegia” and “quadriplegia.” Paraplegia is term used to describe paralysis that prevents a person from moving his or her legs and other physical functions below the waist. Quadriplegia refers to spinal cord injuries that prevent a person from moving his or her arms and legs and other parts of their body below the injury.

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Leg Injuries

Broken legs, sprained ankles, knee injuries and other leg injuries often occur due to car accidents. Often, such injuries occur when the vehicle a person is traveling in is crushed by another vehicle in a collision.

Leg injuries can severely affect a person’s ability to function normally for several weeks, months or even permanently. Leg injuries can also be extremely expensive, painful and affect a person’s ability to work.

If you or a loved one has sustained a leg injury in a car accident in Ohio, our experienced car accident attorneys can work with you and investigate your accident. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s reckless behavior. We can help.

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Broken Bones

Car accidents often result in broken bones. From skull fractures to broken legs, arms and fingers, broken bone injuries require immediate medical attention. There are many different types of broken bone injuries, which are also referred to as fractures. They include:

  • Simple fracture – Also known as a non-displaced fracture, a simple fracture refers to bones that are broken all or part way through without affecting the bone alignment.
  • Compound fracture – Also known as a displaced fracture, a compound fracture refers to bones that do not line up straight and are broken in two or more parts.
  • Closed fracture – These type injuries refer to broken bones that do not pierce the skin.
  • Open fracture – Broken bones that break through the skin and are visible on the surface.

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Shoulder Injury

Car accidents can cause shoulder injuries. Injuries include shoulder separations caused by seat belt harness injury after a crash and ligament tears and dislocations caused by the force of impact.

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