One can never be certain that he or she will arrive safely at a specific destination when traveling by motor vehicle in New York. There’s always a risk of collision, especially if a distracted or drunk driver is nearby. Even at speeds of 25 mph or lower, severe injuries may occur when two or more vehicles collide.
Lacerations may require immediate medical attention
One of the most common types of injuries that occur in a motor vehicle collision is cuts or gashes on a person’s body. A deep laceration may cause severe bleeding, which, if not stopped quickly, could place an accident victim in a life-threatening situation. It is imperative to make sure that no foreign objects are embedded in a cut, such as bits of glass from a shattered car window or pieces of plastic from a dashboard.
Soreness from tissue or ligament injuries may develop
Not seeing any blood or open wounds on a person’s body does not necessarily mean that he or she has not suffered injury in a collision. Another common injury that many people suffer in auto accidents is a soft tissue injury. The jarring of a person’s upper body, especially if hit from behind, may result in whiplash. Pulled ligaments or muscle tears can also cause a lot of pain and discomfort, some of which may be severe enough to require surgery
Accident victims are at risk for traumatic brain injury
If a person is unconscious due to a motor vehicle collision, EMTs or paramedics who respond to the scene may automatically suspect brain injury. It is possible, however, that a person can suffer a brain injury but not know it right away because symptoms may be delayed for hours or days. This is why it is so important to closely monitor the condition of someone who has been involved in a car accident. When a New York collision resulting in injury has been caused by another driver’s negligence, a recovering victim may seek compensation for damages by filing a personal injury claim in a civil court. Court-awarded compensation may be used to help cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the incident.