Common Car Accident Injuries

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), in 2021, the state’s highways witnessed 1,824 fatalities, with 17.1 percent of them being pedestrians struck by vehicles. The leading cause of the accidents was unsafe driving behaviors, including distracted driving, impairment, and simply driving too fast for road conditions. Another 125,000 persons were injured in auto crashes.

U.S. Census Bureau data place Georgia eighth in population nationwide; but fourth in the number of traffic fatalities, outpaced only by California, Florida, and Texas.

If you or a loved one is involved in a vehicular accident, you should be examined by a medical professional even if you feel no pain or see no bruising or scratches. Injuries have a way of surfacing hours or even days later. You can never be too precautious.

The attorneys at Chambers & Aholt, LLC can help you and your loved ones deal with personal injury claims resulting from vehicular accidents.

Located in Decatur, Georgia, we represent clients throughout the state, including DeKalb, Gwinnett, Floyd, Clayton, Fulton, Cobb, Douglas, and Polk counties.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries suffered in auto accidents can be broken down into five categories:

Soft Tissue Injuries: This is the most common type of injury. Damage to the body’s connective tissues – muscles, ligaments, and tendons – is a soft tissue injury. Whiplash is considered a soft tissue injury as it affects the neck and upper back. Mid-back and low-back sprains can also result from a car accident.

Scrapes and Cuts: Loose items in the vehicle can be thrown about during impact. Cell phones, coffee mugs, books, even dash-mounted GPS devices can all go flying, resulting in cuts to your skin or even other injuries. Airbags, when they deploy, also can cause cuts and scrapes. Generally, cuts and scrapes are fairly superficial, but if they are more serious, stitches may be required.

Head Injuries: Head injuries range from the relatively minor that recede on their own to the more serious that can require medical attention and ongoing treatment, sometimes even leading to death. When you impact your car, your head can be thrown about in different ways, which can result in muscle sprains to the neck and back; but also cause injury to the head. Your head may be bruised or cut, or worse, you could end up with a concussion. Serious impacts to the head can even result in lasting brain damage known as traumatic brain injury.

Chest Injuries: Injuries to the chest can result from colliding with the steering wheel or the dashboard, ranging from bruises to broken ribs and internal injuries. Seatbelts themselves can also cause chest injuries.

Arm and Leg Injuries: The impact of a collision can also throw your arms and legs about, thrusting them against doors, the dashboard, or the seat in front of rear passengers. The result can be scrapes, bruises, sprains, or even broken arms and legs.

Should I Be Seen by a Doctor?

Georgia law requires that all accidents that result in injury or death, or even $500 or more in property damage, be reported to the police. When you make the 911 call to report the accident, you can also request medical attention if you feel it’s necessary.

However, even if you’re not sensing any injury at the time, remember that an adrenaline rush may be masking what’s going on inside your body. You may not feel anything until hours or even days later. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to be checked after an auto accident.

The record of the doctor’s visit will also be crucial when you file your insurance claim or file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

How Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident and you file an insurance claim, you will soon be contacted by a professional known as a claims adjuster.

Claims adjusters protect the insurance company’s bottom line – profitability – so they will do whatever they can to diminish your injuries or even try to pin the blame on you.

Let our attorneys deal with the claims adjusters and negotiate the settlement, or if need be, file a personal injury lawsuit.

The personal injury attorneys at Chambers & Aholt, LLC are experienced in dealing with the big insurance companies and will fight for your just compensation or pursue the matter in court. Contact us immediately if you are injured in Decatur, Georgia, or DeKalb, Gwinnett, Floyd, Clayton, Fulton, Cobb, Douglas, and Polk counties.