Things are always changing on the road, from traffic lights to who is on either side of you at any moment, so a driver has to respond to these changes safely. Drivers need to be alert and aware so they can avoid dangerous situations, but sometimes they are unavoidable.
Joint trauma
Joint injuries are very common after car accidents because they are being compressed in a short amount of time, and sometimes beyond their range of motion. This can lead to fractures, strains, tears, and other injuries that may require surgery. Such injuries always require extensive physical therapy that could last several months or even years.
Whiplash
When a car is struck, the passengers and drivers are suddenly jolted in some direction. This sudden thrusting forward and back can pull muscles, ligaments and tendons. When they occur in the neck it is often called whiplash. The name comes from the motion of a whip being similar to the motion of the neck and spinal cord in an accident. These injuries are typically not fatal but they can cause pain and stiffness, and symptoms may take a few hours or days to appear.
Head and Spinal Cord Injuries
Head and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common and serious car accident injuries, and can range from concussions to paralysis to spinal stenosis. Accidents can also cause herniated discs in the spine, and fractures that can impact the spinal cord.
Fractures
Victims of car accidents can suffer from bone fractures that may require surgery, and may also require physical therapy. These fractures have been linked to arthritis later in life.
How to Avoid a Car Accident
There are a few things you can do in order to avoid car accidents and keep yourself safe or on the road.
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Look to make sure the intersection is clear before entering. It’s best to count three seconds before entering an intersection with a green light to make sure that no one is speeding through a yellow or red light.
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Beware of blind spots in your car or vehicle. The most common blind spots are in the rear quarter sections of the vehicle on either side. This means that cars in the adjacent lanes in these blind spots are not visible to the driver if they are using their mirrors. You must look and check that these areas are clear before changing lanes or turning.
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Get your car regularly checked. From a blowout from a tire that should’ve been changed a long time ago to a sudden stall, not maintaining your vehicle is a sure way to end up having some sort of trouble later. If a worn belt under the hood suddenly breaks, then your vehicle will break down suddenly, regardless of whether it’s in park or on the highway. So get your car checked before it causes a sudden accident.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
While you are recuperating from your injury, it’s natural to wonder how you are going to pay your medical bills. That is an especially stressful question if you have a family or other obligations and can’t work. You may be also suffering from the pain and trauma of having gone through an accident or require constant care. A compassionate personal injury lawyer fights for you in court so all of these concerns, or your economic and non-economic damages, are taken care of.
