The statistics indicate that car accidents have worsened in Ocala and neighboring locations in recent years.
- In 2019, there were 6,353 car accidents in Ocala and surrounding towns, showing a serious problem with road safety.
- The situation did not improve much in 2020, as 5,918 car accidents occurred in Ocala and nearby areas, causing many injuries and fatalities.
- The year 2021 saw a sharp rise in car accidents, with 7,132 incidents reported in Ocala and adjacent regions, indicating a need for urgent action.
- Car accidents remained high in 2022, with 7,045 cases recorded in Ocala.
A fender bender and a T-bone collision are both considered car accidents. But the level of impact is what separates them. The level of impact also has a role to play in the intensity of the injuries the victims suffer from.
Although cuts, bruises, and shock might be the most common injuries in a car accident, victims are vulnerable to more serious injuries as well. These injuries, often referred to as life-altering injuries, will have a devastating effect on the victim’s life. An Ocala car accident lawyer can help the victim get compensation for their injuries.
This article lists five of the most nasty injuries that car accident victims suffer from. Victims who suffer from these injuries may spend a lot of time and resources recovering. In some unfortunate cases, the victim may require assistance for the rest of their life.
Some life-altering injuries that car accident victims may sustain include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Injuries that Cause Disability
- Injuries that Cause Disfigurement
- Burns
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A TBI is considered among the more severe injuries that car accident victims will end up with. This is mainly because it directly impacts the brain, an organ that is responsible for the proper functioning of the body.
A TBI can occur in the following ways:
- A violent blow to the head
- An object (foreign or shattered skull) passing through the brain tissue
TBIs are classified as mild and severe. The symptoms for each type of TBI may vary. However, some of the common symptoms of TBI include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Loss of consciousness
- Speech impediments
- Sleeping issues
- Behavioral changes
Victims who suffer TBI also run the risk of ending up in a coma or a vegetative state.
Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is an important part of the body, sending and receiving signals from the brain. A spinal cord injury happens when a car accident damages any part of the victim’s spinal cord.
Although sudden impacts on the spinal cord are among the causes, spinal cord injuries can also happen over time. Instances of bleeding, swelling, and fluid accumulation can worsen the existing condition.
Spinal cord injuries are rarely minor. Some of the symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- Loss of movement
- Poor bladder or bowel control
- Change in the ability to touch and feel things
- Hyperactive reflex activities and spasms
- Breathing issues
- Difficulty coughing
- Alterations in sexual function, sensitivity, and fertility
Injuries that Cause Disability
This is one category of injury where the victim will suffer for the rest of their life. The more severe car accidents often dismember victims. In some instances, the surgical removal of a body part might be essential for the victim’s survival.
In both cases mentioned above, disability is the end result. A disabled car accident victim will have a new set of challenges. They’ll need assistance in everyday activities, and they may not be able to participate in sports, events, or other affairs that they once used to.
Disability has a severe emotional impact as well.
Injuries that Cause Disfigurement
Disfigurement is another category of injury that has a physical and psychological impact on the victim.
A car accident victim may suffer disfigurement in the following ways:
- Serious facial injuries
- Lacerations or punctures that cause scarring
- Loss of eyes
- Burns
Cosmetic surgery is often the recommended procedure for skin-related disfigurement. Victims will need a lawyer to prove the physical and emotional impact of the disfigurement. The lawyer will also help prepare a fair estimate for all the losses a victim suffers.
Burns
A car accident victim is prone to burn injuries. The chances of a fire are very high if the car’s gas tank is damaged. In such situations, a spark is all that is needed to make the situation worse. Victims can also lose their lives this way.
Damaged gas tanks aside, a car ramming into a utility pole and coming into contact with downed electrical wires can also burn the victim.
Victims of burn injuries are bound to suffer from psychological issues as well.
Conclusion
Victims suffer a range of injuries after a car accident. The minor ones may heal quickly, but the severe ones have a lasting impact on the victim’s life.
In such situations, hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is recommended. The lawyer will help prove the severity of the condition and make sure the victim receives fair compensation for their losses.
