On average, there are over 3,000 daily car accident-related deaths worldwide.
Road safety is a topic of interest for many, and although numerous countries, including the U.S., have taken a lot of precautions to ensure traffic safety through tougher regulations, these events can unfortunately still occur.
Even if some are fortunate enough to escape with their lives, some types of car accident injuries can leave a permanent mark on the victim. As a result, their entire lives may spiral down, leading to major drops in their quality of life. Here are some of the most common.
1. Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal can leave permanent scars. Some people will suffer from changes in strength or sensation in their lower body area, which means they will still be able to use their legs, though not in the same way as before.
For more severe cases, a spinal cord injury may leave you completely disabled. So far, treatment for spinal cord injuries mostly teaches the person how to regain their independence with their new condition, though a cure or permanent fix still isn’t on the table.
2. Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are common injuries in car accidents that occur when there is a direct and powerful blow to the head. Though your brain is generally protected by its skull, extreme violent events can affect this organ by causing it to move and hit itself against the inside of the skull wall. Even if you survive the hit, TBI can cause permanent damage on a physical, mental, and emotional level.
3. Eye Injuries
Shattered glass or other objects thrown on impact can potentially pierce the eye and cause permanent vision loss. Though these injuries are not as common, they can happen, and their likelihood increases if there are loose objects inside the vehicle that get thrown inside the car upon a violent impact.
4. Emotional Distress
Car accidents don’t just leave physical damage. Sometimes, people can walk away from these impacts with permanent emotional distress such as anxiety or PTSD. The severity of the impact isn’t necessarily what triggers these conditions – meaning the accident doesn’t have to be bloody for a person to develop them. It’s their body’s way to process the event, and for some, that means developing extreme fears that could protect people from ever being in the same situation again. People with these disorders may fear ever driving again or being in a car, have night terrors, insomnia, etc.
St. Louis Car Injury Attorney
The news that a car accident has left you with permanent damage is devastating, and unfortunately, the road ahead may be difficult and expensive. To ease your pain, reach out to a St. Louis car accident attorney to learn more about your legal rights moving forward. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.