Car Accident Injuries & Compensation Available in New York

Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of modern life, and they can cause quite a wide range of injuries. Some injuries, however, are typical of car accidents. Your Queens, NY car accident lawyer can help you understand what compensation you are entitled to if you’ve been injured in a car accident.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

1. Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash is perhaps the injury resulting from car accidents, particularly in rear-end collisions. It occurs when the head is suddenly jolted forward and then snapped backward. This causes a strain on the neck muscles and ligaments, and symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.

While whiplash is often considered a minor injury, it can lead to chronic pain and long-term issues if not treated properly. It’s also something that doesn’t always manifest immediately, as adrenaline can mask the severity of the trauma to the neck. Always get checked out if you’ve been in an accident, even if you feel fine.

2. Head Injuries

Head injuries can range from the most mild of concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries usually occur when the head strikes an object, such as the steering wheel or window, or is violently shaken. TBIs can have profound effects on cognitive function, memory, and emotional well-being; but even a mild concussion can cause lost time from work and medical expenses.

3. Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Back injuries, including herniated discs and spinal cord damage, are also not uncommon in car accidents. The impact of a collision can exert enormous force on the spine, leading to chronic pain, mobility issues, and, in severe cases, paralysis. These injuries often require long-term medical care, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery.

4. Broken Bones and Fractures

The force exerted during a car accident can easily break and fracture bones, and it’s most common to see this in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Recovery from such injuries can require immobilization, physical therapy, and sometimes surgical intervention to ensure proper healing.

5. Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, such as damage to organs, internal bleeding, and punctured lungs, can be life-threatening, but, worryingly, they are not always immediately apparent after an accident. This is yet another reason you must get seen by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Compensation Your Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You With

New York has a no-fault insurance system, which means that after a car accident, your own insurance company will cover medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain limit, regardless of who was at fault.  If the injuries sustained in a car accident are deemed “serious” under New York law, however, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Victims can generally recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

If you’ve been in an accident, contact us at Bardizbanian & Associates, P.C. right away for help in Queens, NY.

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