More than 3 million people are injured each year in motor vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And while many accidents do not produce life-threatening injuries, there are certain types of injuries that commonly occur in the majority of car accidents in the Houston area. Many of these injuries you may not even recognize until a few days after the accident.
But how do these injuries occur in an accident? It all depends on several factors:
- The safety devices in the car, such as airbags and whether the person was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash
- How the car was hit – from the rear, side, or front
- Where the person was sitting at the time of the accident and what position that person was in. For instance, you were a front seat passenger who just turned around to get something in the back seat.
- The speed of the vehicles at the time of the collision
There are generally two very broad categories car accident injuries fall in – impact injuries and penetrating injuries. Let’s look at each of these categories.
Impact Car Accident Injuries
An impact injury is usually caused when your body is hit by something in the interior of the car. For example, you are rear-ended at a traffic light. The force of the accident pushes you forward and your head hits the steering wheel of the car. This is considered an impact injury.
Common injuries that fall under this category include soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, chest injuries, head injuries, and injuries to your arms and legs.
Penetrating Car Accident Injuries
A penetrating injury can easily be described as a cuts or scrapes. For example, if the impact of the accident caused your windshield to shatter and spray you with glass, these are considered penetrating injuries. Another example would be the result of an airbag deploying, causing debris to injure you.
Although you may think scrapes and cuts are not a severe as, say, a traumatic brain injury, some can become quite serious. A deep gash could result in a loss of blood or require stitches.
Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Now
When you are injured in a car accident in Texas, you may be concerned about how you’re going to pay the bills that pile up. If you miss work because of the injuries you sustained, you may not have the finances available to help with the bills. That’s why it’s essential to know what your legal options are after an accident occurs.
If you were in a car accident in the Houston area and are in need of legal assistance, the de Lachica Law Firm, PLLC, is ready to help. Our experienced Houston car accident lawyer is ready to fight for your rights and is willing to take your case into the courtroom if necessary. Don’t wait for a second longer — contact de Lachcia Law today for a free consultation.