Common Florida Accident Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged as a result of a sudden physical force, such as the impact experienced in a car accident. TBI can be either a "penetrating" or "closed" injury. Penetrating head injuries occur when some object pierces the skull and lodges in the brain. Closed head injuries occur when, in an accident, the accelerated momentum of the brain causes it to impact against the skull when it is decelerated. Closed head injuries present unique challenges in litigation since patients will often demonstrate no obvious external symptoms of injury, even though the damage to the brain can be severe. Some symptoms of TBI may include, concussion, seizure, headache, dizziness, inability to concentrate, loss of memory, and even anxiety and depression. An attorney must have a thorough understanding of the symptoms of TBI in order to adequately present a case for damages to the jury. An experienced attorney can ensure that you undergo a CT or MRI scan in order to reveal any undetected brain injuries that occurred as a result of the accident.
Whiplash
The human body has difficulty absorbing certain types of impact, such as that caused by automobile collisions. The reason for this is physiological. The human head weighs roughly 10 to 15 pounds and rests upon the most flexible and least reinforced part of the spine: the neck. Your neck contains 32 joints (among other muscles and ligaments) and is easily stretched and injured if too much force is applied in any direction. When the joints of the neck are stretched or strained beyond their normal limitations, they can lose their ability to return to their original length.
Automobiles, on the other hand, are heavy, solid objects weighing roughly 2 tons. These structures are designed to absorb impact and minimize energy transfer; however, the amount of force exerted when one automobile is struck by another is equal to thousands of pounds - much of which is exerted upon the neck and spine of the passengers. The neck cannot support or control the weight of the head under such circumstances, and the head is forcefully thrust in the direction of the vehicle causing the impact. The sudden movement of the head-backwards, forwards, or sideways-is referred to as whiplash.
Whiplash is more accurately referred to as cervical acceleration and deceleration (CAD) trauma or syndrome, which describes the rapid movements that can injure the vertebrae of the neck and the muscles and ligaments that support them. As the muscles and other tissues within the neck stretch toward their physical limits, extreme tension builds and the muscles snap (or “whip”) with a violent spasm in the opposite direction. During this process, the soft discs between the spinal bones can stretch or tear, and vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing range of motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck can stretch and become irritated. The result is injury to the muscles, ligaments, nerves (soft tissues) and the joints within the neck, which will generally cause headaches, dizziness, pain in the shoulders, arms, hands, reduced ability to turn and bend, and lower back problems. Inasmuch as bruising of the brain can also sometimes occur in auto accidents and similarly severe cases of whiplash, some victims have experienced blurred vision, ringing in the ears, nausea, and numbness.
Back Injuries
Many people suffer debilitating back injuries as a result of automobile accidents. Disks in your spine can become herniated or ruptured, causing severe discomfort and often requiring painful surgery. In addition, the impact of an accident can cause compression fractures to your spine, which can damage your spinal cord and potentially create a reduction in or complete loss of mobility of your limbs. Spinal cord injuries are very serious and can leave you permanently disabled.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of sensation and motor function. Some typical symptoms of back injuries that are common to car crashes are weakness in your limbs, shortness of breath, numbness, complete or partial paralysis, tingling in the extremities, and bowel and bladder control issues. Some victims are rendered paraplegic or quadriplegic, losing motor function of their limbs or extremities for the rest of their lives. Spinal cord injuries may leave you in need of full-time care and make it impossible for you to ever work again. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, it is imperative that you seek the advice of an experienced Personal Injury attorney immediately. The experts at Lucas, Green & Magazine can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures and broken bones are painful injuries that may cause you significant loss of earnings. Fractures may require surgery and weeks or even months of rehabilitation. Even a healed fracture may cause a reduction in motor function.
Fatalities
In the most serious automobile accidents, death may result. A wrongful death lawsuit may be appropriate in cases in which the victim dies as a result of his or her injuries. The purpose of a wrongful death suit is to provide relief to family members who have been injured emotionally and financially as a result of a loved one's death.
The Automobile Accident information offered by greater Tampa Bay area Automobile Accident Lawyers and contained herein, regarding Automobile Accident statutes and Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough County, Florida Automobile Accident claimants' rights, is general in scope. No greater Tampa Bay area Auto Accident attorney / client relationship with our greater Tampa Bay area Automobile Accident attorneys is hereby formed nor is the information herein intended as formal legal advice. See terms of use. Please contact Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough County Automobile Accident Lawyers at 1-800-4-INJURY regarding your specific inquiry if you are injured in Dade City, City of New Port Richey, City of Port Richey, City of San Antonio, Town of St. Leo, Zephyrhills, Bayonet Point, Beacon Square, Blanton, Crystal Springs, Dade City North, Elfers, Holiday, Hudson, Jasmine Estates, Lacoochee, Land O' Lakes, New Port Richey East, Odessa, Saint Joseph, Shady Hills, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel South, Zephyrhills North, Zephyrhills South, Zephyrhills West, Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Largo, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasadena, Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Island, Florida. |
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