If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Joplin, MO, you have a few things to deal with that other victims might not. In Joplin, for instance, the amount of compensation you receive could be reduced if a jury feels you were even 1 percent at fault for an accident. Unfortunately, this doesn’t change the fact that you have medical bills to pay. A personal injury attorney in Joplin, MO, can explain certain things to you, but you should also know some of the most common injuries they deal with.
1. Injuries to the Brain and Head
Some of the most serious damages commonly suffered in auto accidents are head and brain injuries. Even if you’re buckled up, an abrupt stop can cause your head to slam into a side window. Unfortunately, head and brain injuries don’t always immediately cause symptoms.
It’s possible that you could develop a headache days after an auto accident, and this could be indicative of anything from a concussion to bleeding in the brain. While you’ll want to discuss this with your personal injury lawyer in Joplin, MO, you’ll first want to seek immediate medical help and let your doctor know what’s going on.
2. Injuries to the Neck and Back
Neck and back injuries are another all-too-common result of automobile accidents. Whiplash, for instance, can occur with sudden speed changes of only 6 MPH. In fact, the majority of whiplash injuries occur in accidents where speeds did not exceed 14 MPH. More serious neck injuries can cause even more debilitating outcomes.
Back injuries not related to the spinal cord are also common. While spinal injuries are typically more serious, lumbar sprains, damage to the muscles and torn ligaments can still leave you unable to move around.
3. Injuries to the Spinal Cord
If someone suffers a spinal cord injury, their best hope is that it’s nothing more than a herniated disc. While this can still cause muscle weakness and pain in the arms and legs, it’s much less serious than other spinal injuries.
A spinal injury can cause nerve damage, and this can result in a loss of sensation in your extremities. With more serious spinal damage, victims could end up paralyzed over parts of their body. Paralysis is detrimental, which is why you should seek out a personal injury attorney in Joplin, MO, immediately if you suffer from any type of spinal injury.
4. Injuries to the Face
Broken noses and fractured eye sockets can happen in auto accidents, but when most people think of “facial injuries,” the first things they envision are scarring and significant bruising. Injuries to a person’s face can take years to mend with the help of plastic surgeons, and even after this, they could still be left with disfiguring scars.
Unfortunately, this can affect every aspect of an individual’s life, ranging from personal to professional. It can also lead to depression, which is discussed in more detail below. Either way, a Joplin, MO, personal injury lawyer can help make sure a judge understands the difficulties you’ll experience due to facial injuries.
5. Psychological Injuries
Not all scars are physical, and unfortunately, psychological injuries are often more detrimental than broken bones. Experts say that up to 30 percent of auto accident victims will experience negative psychological issues related to their wreck.
Science has also shown that a whiplash injury can lead to depression over time. Some people even experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after automobile accidents. Sadly, a person could walk away from an accident unscathed and still suffer serious issues.
If you’re involved in an auto accident in Joplin, you could face a variety of serious injuries. Make sure you take care of yourself first by seeking medical help, but afterwards, ensure you get the compensation you deserve by contacting a Joplin, MO, personal injury lawyer.
Site by