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Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to severe trauma. The type and seriousness of these injuries can have a significant impact on the victims’ lives. Some conditions may be immediately apparent, while others might surface later on.
In some cases, more severe injuries may require extensive long-term care, affecting not only physical but also emotional and financial aspects of a victim’s life. Seeking legal assistance from an experienced personal injury firm like Judd Shaw Injury Law can help navigate the complexities of obtaining compensation for these types of serious injuries.
The Nature and Severity of Your Injuries Can Have a Lasting Impact
Various factors can influence the extent of your injuries. Your age and existing medical conditions can impact how resilient your body is when it experiences physical trauma.
Previous injuries may also be exacerbated by the new accident. The safety equipment you had in place at the time of the collision, such as seat belts and airbags, can also significantly affect the severity of your injuries.
A high-impact collision from certain angles may result in more severe physical damage than others. Injuries such as the following can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s health and well-being. Such injuries may even prove fatal.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have life-altering consequences for car accident victims. The impact of a severe jolt or blow to the head during a collision can result in various symptoms ranging from mild concussions to more severe impairments.
TBIs may not always be immediately apparent, as some symptoms might surface days or even weeks after the accident. These injuries can affect cognitive functions, memory, mood, and behavior.
Recovery from a TBI can be long and challenging, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious and life-altering consequences of a car crash. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Therefore, any form of spinal damage can have devastating effects.
Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, impacting mobility, sensation, and even bodily functions like breathing. The severity of these injuries often depends on where along the spine they occur – with higher-level injuries typically leading to more profound impairments.
Rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries can be intense and require ongoing medical care and support. Many individuals with such injuries may face challenges in everyday activities that were once taken for granted.
Nerve damage and chronic pain
After a car crash, nerve pain or damage can be debilitating for victims. Nerve injuries can result in shooting pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and muscle weakness that may persist long after the accident. The impact of a car accident can disrupt the body’s nervous system, causing lasting pain signals that make recovery challenging.
Injuries to nerves in the spine or limbs can lead to ongoing discomfort and difficulty performing normal tasks. Chronic pain caused by the trauma of a collision can affect daily activities and quality of life.
Organ damage
Organ damage is a serious consequence of car accidents that can have long-lasting effects on victims. The force of impact during a collision can result in internal injuries to organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, or lungs.
Organ damage can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. Internal bleeding, infection, and organ failure are all potential risks associated with this type of injury. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged organ or remove it altogether.
Recovery from organ damage after a car crash can be lengthy and challenging. Victims may require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and monitoring to ensure their health and well-being.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Car accidents are a common cause of PTSD due to the sudden, intense nature of the event and the potential for serious injury or life-threatening situations.
PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity and may appear shortly after the accident or weeks, months, or even years later.
Common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive memories: Recurring, unwanted memories of the accident, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Avoidance: Avoiding thoughts, feelings, places, or activities that remind you of the accident
- Negative changes in thinking and mood: Feelings of hopelessness, emotional numbness, negative thoughts about yourself or others, and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Hyperarousal: Being easily startled, feeling tense or on edge, having difficulty sleeping, and having angry outbursts
PTSD can significantly affect your quality of life. It can interfere with your ability to work, maintain relationships, and perform daily activities. It may also lead to other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
New Jersey’s No-Fault Insurance System
New Jersey operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning that your own insurance policy covers your medical expenses and certain other losses after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage is known as personal injury protection (PIP).
While PIP offers broad coverage, its benefits are capped at the limits specified in your policy.
Once these limits are reached, you may need to rely on your health insurance or other sources for additional expenses.
When you purchase auto insurance in New Jersey, you must choose between the Limitation on Lawsuit option and the No Limitation on Lawsuit Option.
Under the Limitation on Lawsuit Option, you can only sue for non-economic damages if your injuries fall into one of the following categories:
- Death: The most severe outcome, where the accident results in a fatality
- Dismemberment: The loss of a body part
- Significant disfigurement or significant scarring: Injuries that cause noticeable and severe disfigurement or scarring
- Displaced fractures: Broken bones where the fracture causes the bone to move out of place
- Loss of a fetus: Miscarriage resulting from the accident
- Permanent injury: An injury resulting in permanent damage to a body part or organ, where the body part or organ will not function normally with further medical treatment
The No Limitation on Lawsuit Option, as the name suggests, does not impose any threshold for suing for non-economic damages. This means that you can sue for pain and suffering regardless of the severity of your injuries.
What Types of Compensation Can You Seek After a Car Accident?
If you are a car accident victim in New Jersey, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to cover your losses and damages either under PIP laws or by pursuing a lawsuit.
Types of compensation you may seek include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages
Secure Your Future With a Free Consultation
The severity of your injuries will influence the medical treatment you need, the recovery time, the compensation you may receive, and the overall impact on your quality of life.
An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and recovery options under New Jersey personal injury law. Your legal team will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages.
Your health and well-being are paramount, and having the right support can make all the difference. So stay informed, seek professional advice, and take proactive steps to support your recovery and protect your rights.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your personal injury claim, don’t hesitate to connect with our team at Judd Shaw Injury Law. Call us at 866-909-6894 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. Take the first step toward getting the justice you deserve.
Content edited by personal injury attorney Judd Shaw. From the beginning, Judd established a set of Core Values laying out the pursuit for excellence in client service. He is a regular host of the Working The Wow podcast, with the belief that providing an exceptional client experience is just as important as delivering a quality service or product. You can find us in Red Bank and Tom‘s River, New Jersey.