Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) data show that auto accidents cause an average of 2,787 non-fatal and 25 fatal injuries each year in Buncombe County, including Asheville.

At The Elmore and Smith Law Firm, PC, our Asheville car accident lawyer understand the tremendous costs as well as the pain and suffering that can accompany these injuries.

We are committed to doing whatever we can to seek compensation for deserving victims and their families in counties across Western North Carolina.

There are many types of car wrecks, some worse than others. We can assist clients who have suffered a wide range of injuries in a car accident, including:

• Fractures (broken bones)
  Car crashes frequently cause broken legs, arms, collarbones and ribs. Broken ribs can cause life-threatening complications if they become displaced and puncture internal organs.
• Organ Damage
  It’s not just displaced broken bones that can cause organ damage. The crushing impact of a crash can rupture organs. Torn organs can cause peritonitis (bacterial) and sepsis (microbial) infections. Damage to kidneys, liver, pancreas, bowel, bladder and other vital organs may require surgery to repair.
• Whiplash
  The sudden jerking motion of a rear-end car accident or any collision can damage muscles, ligaments or spinal disks, which is known as “whiplash.” Whiplash typically heals but can cause chronic pain and cognitive problems in some victims.
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
  Damage to the spinal cord or the vertebrae around it can cause paralysis. Paraplegia is partial or complete paralysis in the leg. Tetraplegia, also called quadriplegia, affects all four limbs, the abdomen and chest. A spinal cord injury victim is likely to require lifelong assistance from devices like walkers or wheelchairs or personal assistance.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  A jolt or blow to the head or a penetrating injury to the skull can damage the brain, resulting in traumatic brain injury. TBI varies in severity, from a concussion that clears up after a few weeks to serious brain damage that causes debilitating injuries. TBI victims may require continuing care and assistance.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)
  Though it is commonly cited as a result of military combat, PTSD can be caused by any terrifying event, including a terrible car accident. Symptoms may include anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Many PTSD victims benefit from psychological therapy, but some become incapacitated.
• Depression
  Chronic pain or lengthy recoveries from catastrophic injuries, particularly those with setbacks, can cause psychological damage to the injury victim. A car accident victim may have to adjust to a life that will never be what it was, including perhaps never again working for a living, not being able to pursue lifelong hobbies or even caring for oneself. Depression is a very real risk among accident victims as well as for close family members whose lives have also changed.
• Wrongful Death
  Nearly 2,000 people die each year in motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina, according to the NCDOT. If another’s negligence caused the death of your family member in an accident, you may be able to recover damages that include the decedent’s pain and suffering before the death, medical and hospital expenses, funeral expenses, the value of services provided by the decedent, the net income of the decedent and the loss of the decedent’s society, companionship, guidance and advice.

Seeking Compensation For Injuries From A Car Accident

The average cost of an automobile crash in Buncombe County is $38,528, according to the NCDOT. Keep in mind: This is only the average. In many cases, the expenses that arise after a crash can be significantly higher and even reach into millions of dollars.

Medical care, in particular, can be expensive. An accident victim may require emergency treatment, hospitalization and reparative or reconstructive surgery. This may be followed by further treatment with medication and physical therapy.

The worst injuries can require ongoing medication, therapy and/or personal assistance. A victim’s home may have to be renovated to accommodate a wheelchair or a hospital bed. The accident victim and/or family members may also require psychological treatment to deal with the major disruption in their lives.

At The Elmore and Smith Law Firm, PC, we will seek to recover these medical costs and other expenses as we pursue a car accident claim on your behalf. In addition to determining your past expenses, we will work with experts on making projections for your ongoing needs.

An Asheville, NC Car Accident Lawyer Can Seek A Recovery For Your Injuries

Attorney Bruce A. Elmore Jr. has protected the rights of car accident victims in Asheville, Buncombe County and surrounding areas in Western North Carolina for more than three decades. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a car crash through no fault of your own, he will fight to seek the compensation you need and deserve.

The Elmore and Smith Law Firm, PC legal team is ready to get to work on your case today. Call or contact us online to get started with a free case review.