In every moment that happens across America, hundreds of car accidents occur. From simple rear-end crashes, to devastating accidents that will drastically affect the lives of the victims and their loved ones for the rest of their lives. This is a seriously dangerous issue that needs to be addressed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the cost of motor vehicle crashes is costing the American citizens billions year after year. Individually, these accidents result in debilitating consequences, economic costs, medical treatment and even lost productivity. So beyond these numbers behind screens, there are real people, suffering from these terribly unfortunate events, and we want to help them.

If you’ve suffered from a car accident, we at Podor Law understand what you’re going through. The confusion, the costs of medical treatment and repairs, the anxiety while talking to insurance companies. And with our decades of experience, we want to help you navigate through this foggy terrain of uncertainty.

So we have prepared this guide, that has everything you need to know about auto injuries, from recognizing the most common injuries caused by car accidents, to making sure you understand your legal rights.

Most common types of Motor Vehicle Injuries

Car accidents can cause a variety of injuries on a range of severity. From mild bruising to crippling permanent incapacitation and in some cases even death. It’s very important to recognize them to understand the gravity of them and seek help if you recognize any of them from your experience.

Whiplash and soft tissue injuries

This is one of the most common injuries related to vehicle accidents, particularly in rear-end related accidents. Whiplash is when your head jerks in a short rapid motion backward and then forward, making the muscles in your neck and upper body to strain. An important thing to consider is that whiplash symptoms might take longer than 24 hours to appear, making it crucial for you to seek medical attention immediately after the incident to ensure proper treatment, even if you feel “fine” right after.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBI is a type of injury that can range from a simple mild concussion to severe head trauma that can incapacitate someone forever. It occurs when the head is hit with an object or is subjected to violent movements. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of TBI.

Spinal cord injuries

It’s very common that after a car crash the victims suffer from back injuries, more specifically they can suffer from: herniated discs, vertebral fractures and in the most severe cases, even paralysis. This type of injury often causes pain for years after the incident and may need physical therapy and further treatment.

Organ Damage

You need to be careful with this type of injuries since they are subtle and sometimes even painless. The blunt force of the collision can cause damage to organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys and even the lungs. Take this as another crucial reason to get to the hospital right after a car accident.

Psychological trauma and PTSD

Not all injuries result in physical scars and bleeding, sometimes they can cause anxiety, fear and depression. Sometimes car crash survivors suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after going through a traumatic accident. It’s important to not underestimate the effect a traumatic injury can have on our well-being, and do not be afraid to seek psychological help after it. Research even shows that mental health after a serious crash can significantly affect recovery and quality of life.

The importance of immediate medical attention

We can’t stress this point enough, if you suffered from a car crash, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine, or don’t feel any pain whatsoever, as we talked before, sometimes injuries are not obvious, and the consequences can go from having a much harder recovery process, from not getting to regret not going at all.

And another important point is that Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires that you go to the doctor within the first 2 weeks of the accident to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

So don’t delay it, it would make your recovery and your legal process infinitely easier if you get a consultation as soon as possible.

Steps to take after your auto injury

The steps you take right after the collision have a significant effect in both your recovery and your ability to get the compensation you deserve.

Immediate Actions

As stated before, right after an accident, call 911 and get medical help for you or anyone that got hurt. Try to move the vehicle out of traffic and turn your hazard lights on.

It’s crucial that you document the scene, take pictures of the cars, the scene overall, and any visible injury. Exchange information with other people involved in the accident, including their names, phone numbers, license plates and insurance information.

Report the accident to the authorities and cooperate with them to get an official report of what occurred, this report will be of great importance for insurance claims.

Avoid these common mistakes:

It’s common to get confused and fall into these traps that might harm your recovery and case:

Delaying medical treatment
Downplaying your symptoms
Posting about your accident on social media
Talking to insurance adjusters without an attorney first.

Don’t fall for any of this, the more you stay focused on getting medical attention, documenting the scene, and getting an attorney, the more likely it is for you to ensure proper compensation for your injury.

Know what your rights are after an auto injury

Knowing what legal rights apply in this type of situation is always beneficial to secure that you take the proper steps. These rights are very different from state to state, so make sure you know your legal rights depending on your state:

Ohio Legal Rights

Ohio follows an “at-fault” insurance system. What that means is that the driver who is responsible for the resulting damages. More specifically:

You can file a claim against the driver’s insurance for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages
Ohio’s statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident
You can get compensated for economical damages (medical bills, lost income) and non-economical damages (pain and suffering)

Florida Legal Rights

Florida follows a “no-fault” insurance system, which is very different from Ohio’s:

First of all, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance pays 80% of your medical costs and 60% of wages lost, no matter whose fault it was.
Unlike a traditional “at-fault”, if you want to sue the driver responsible for the accident, you must meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold” meaning that the injury you suffered has to involve permanent loss of an important bodily function, a permanent injury, or even death.
They also recently changed the statute of limitations, now like Ohio’s being 2 years after an incident. Unless your case happened before March 23, 2023. In which case you would have the original 4 years after the accident.
Florida also adopted the 51% Bar Rule, which means you can only recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault

Know when you need an attorney

Not every car accident requires the help of an attorney, but do consider if you need legal help if:

The injuries you suffered were serious
You had to miss time off work
The fault is still being disputed
Insurance companies either deny your claim or are low-balling you
You’re unsure about going through these claims and process without an attorney

How we can help

We understand how hard the process of recovery is from auto injuries, and it’s challenging enough without considering the complex legal system and misleading tactics of insurance companies. Here at Podor Law, we have decades of experience helping hundreds of victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve and live their lives fully afterwards.

We treat each client like family, we won’t transfer you to another paralegal to deal with your case. We know how important your recovery and compensation is for you and it’s just as important for us. So if you or a loved one has suffered from a car accident, do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with us. No commitment from your part, we’re just here to help.

Remember, there is no fee until you win. So take the first step towards recovery and to get the justice you deserve by contacting us.

Sources

Mayo Clinic – Whiplash symptoms and causes.

Cleveland Clinic – Whiplash.

MedlinePlus – Sprain and strain.

CDC – What is a concussion?

CDC – Traumatic brain injury facts and statistics.

Johns Hopkins Medicine – Herniated disk.

Johns Hopkins Medicine – Vertebral compression fractures.

Mayo Clinic – Spinal cord injury.

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons – Fractures (broken bones).

NHTSA – Biomechanics research.

Johns Hopkins Medicine – Fractures.