Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Atlanta
According to the Crash Data Portal from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Atlanta had over 35,000 vehicle collisions in 2021. Nearly one-third of these crashes caused a fatal or non-fatal injury.
The severity of car accident injuries depends on many factors, such as the speed of the vehicles involved and whether the occupants wore seat belts. But even a low-speed collision with restrained vehicle occupants can cause serious injuries that require costly medical treatment.
For drivers in Atlanta, GA, it is essential to understand the different types of injuries that commonly result from car accidents and what legal options exist to recover compensation for them. If you need legal assistance, contact our law firm Hasner Law PC for a free initial consultation at (678) 888-4878.
How Hasner Law, PC Can Help After a Car Accident in Atlanta, GA
Hasner Law, PC is a personal injury law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to providing personalized representation to every client. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers have over 80 years of combined legal experience.
If you hire our personal injury lawyers for help after a collision, we’ll provide:
- A free consultation to learn about your legal right to compensation
- Contingency fee representation that ensures we do not get paid until you get paid
- An advocate to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf for a fair financial recovery
- An experienced and responsive legal team that prepares every case as if it will go to trial
Whether you suffered a sprained knee or permanent paralysis, you deserve a dedicated and compassionate attorney on your legal team. Contact Hasner Law, PC for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you get compensation for your car accident injuries.
How Many People Get Injured in Atlanta Car Accidents?
In 2021, Atlanta had 9,881 automobile collisions that injured at least one vehicle occupant, according to the GDOT Crash Data Portal.
In total, these crashes injured or killed 15,548 people, resulting in:
- 80 fatal injuries
- 1,059 serious injuries that required calling an ambulance for the accident victim
- 3,326 visible but minor injuries that did not require calling an ambulance
- 10,896 possible injuries where the victim complained of an injury, but the officers did not see any wound
The injury rating does not necessarily tell you the cost of treatment or the recovery time. For example, accident victims with severe concussions will lose consciousness and require an ambulance. But most of these victims will recover from their symptoms within two months.
On the other hand, accident victims who herniate discs in a crash will have no visible wounds. But since doctors cannot repair damaged discs, these patients might experience pain and disabilities for the rest of their lives.
Examples of Common Car Accident Injuries
Injuries in a crash typically result from:
- Blunt trauma from striking the interior of the vehicle
- Penetrating trauma from lacerations or puncture wounds
- Hyperextension trauma from whipping and jerking motions during the collision
These types of trauma tend to cause certain injuries, ranging from mild to serious.
Some common injuries from car accidents in Atlanta include:
Chest Bruises
When your chest slams into your seat belt, the impact can rupture blood vessels under the skin. Chest bruises can cause pain and swelling. You may also see large discolored patches. Seat belt injuries like chest bruises usually heal within a week.
Soft Tissue Injuries
The forces you encounter in a crash can stretch or even tear the soft tissues of your musculoskeletal system.
Common soft tissue injuries include:
- Strained muscles or tendons
- Sprained ligaments
- Torn joint cartilage
The time to heal from soft tissue injuries ranges from four to six weeks for a mild strain to several months for severe sprains involving full-thickness tears. Severe soft tissue injuries may also require surgery and physical therapy. Even after time and treatment, you may never regain full function in the injured area.
Fractured Bones
A blunt impact can snap or break your bones, resulting in fractures.
Car accidents can often cause you to fracture your:
- Finger or wrist
- Arm
- Facial bones or teeth
- Leg and ankle
The most serious fracture you can suffer in a car accident is a spine fracture. When you break your neck or back, bone fragments can become dislocated and go into the spinal canal. If they sever the spinal cord, you can suffer permanent paralysis.
Concussions
Concussions happen when your brain is rattled against your skull. The pressure of the fluid protecting your brain causes mild damage to the brain cells. In response, your body causes your brain to swell.
As a result, you may experience:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Amnesia
- Clumsiness
- Drowsiness
These symptoms usually resolve in about two months.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not all car accident injuries cause physical pain. Some produce mental and emotional distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) happens when you get exposed to a traumatic event. Your brain recalibrates to make you overly sensitive to “triggers.” As a result, you may suffer from nightmares, depression, anxiety, and emotional outbursts.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers To Discuss Your Injuries
Your car accident injuries can disable you from meeting your daily needs, like driving, showering, or working. As Atlanta’s top-rated personal injury lawyers, the skilled team at Hasner Law, PC is committed to fighting on behalf of car accident victims and they can help you with the claim process.
Contact Hasner Law, PC for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the types of car accidents and how much compensation you can pursue for their effects.
