In early October, as many as 47 cars and trucks were involved in a multi-vehicle crash on I-75 near Sarasota. Reports indicated that more than 50 people were taken to area hospitals. We can be relatively certain that the vast majority of the injuries suffered because of the pile-up fall into one of the following categories:
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Head and Brain Injuries. Head injuries are among the most common injuries from truck and automobile accidents, particularly if you are in a head-on collision. Head injuries range from mild lacerations and concussions to traumatic brain injury, resulting in permanent and severe neurological damage.
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Neck Injuries. Even minor accidents tend to result in whiplash, which you may experience as neck pain accompanied by a restricted range of movement. Symptoms may not manifest themselves until a few days after your accident. Cases that are more serious involve disc injuries requiring extensive treatment. Neck fractures accompanied by spinal cord damage may result in quadriplegia.
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Back injuries. Back injuries from collisions include sprains, strains, disc injuries and fractures. Flexion/distraction fractures commonly result from head-on collisions – these fractures happen when the vertebra are pulled apart due to the upper body being thrown forward while the lower body is secured by a seat belt. The severity of a back injury depends on where along the spine the injury occurred. Minor lower back (lumbar spine) injuries show up as chronic back and leg pain, and severe damage to the spinal cord may result in loss of bowel control and paralysis of the lower extremities. Damage to the spinal cord in the upper back (thoracic spine) can lead to paraplegia.
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Facial injuries. If your face hits the steering wheel, windshield or dashboard, or is hit by an airbag, you may experience lacerations, bruising, fractures, dental injuries or a dislocated jaw.
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Fractures. You may also fracture your arms, legs or any other body part.
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Emotional Trauma. Many drivers and passengers suffer from emotional distress after an accident. If you have a fear of driving or riding in a vehicle after an accident, you may require treatment for post-traumatic stress.
If you or someone close to you has been injured or killed in a truck or automobile accident, there are many options available to you. Our office can help you obtain the maximum compensation possible.
