It is a Monday morning, and James is driving down a busy freeway when there is a loud crash. That’s the thing about freeway car crashes: you never see them coming. In a split second, lives change forever.
The crash caused injuries to his neck and forehead. He thought he was lucky. But within a few hours, he realized he had broken some bones and internal bleeding. While he thought he had escaped death, he realized that the damage to his neck would cost him months, if not years, of treatment and physical therapy.
Wondering how any of this was his fault? It wasn’t. Yet, he has to pay for the treatment out of pocket, just like many car crash victims who don’t understand the importance of hiring a freeway injury lawyer. In 2022, there were over $470 billion collected in total costs, including medical expenses and the estimated cost of lives lost.
Understanding the Most Common Injuries in Freeway Car Crashes
A freeway car crash can be devastating. Here’s how the collision may affect your body:
Whiplash
The first injury is a neck injury called whiplash. This happens when your head moves like a heavy bowling ball after one car hits another from behind. You are not expecting it, so you cannot control how your head snaps forward and back suddenly. This jolt can strain the muscles and ligaments in your neck, causing stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
You might not feel it right away, but the next morning, your head may feel sore, and you may struggle to turn your neck.
Head and Brain Injuries
This is probably the most dangerous type of injury. When you’re driving, you need a helmet to protect your head. In a crash, this protection helps prevent head injuries such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Head and brain injuries can be fatal. They can also lead to memory or balance impairment. These injuries may feel like a bad headache at first, but you must not ignore them because they can have serious consequences.
Broken Bones
In high-speed collisions, your arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis can break under the sudden force of impact. Have you ever seen the condition of a car after it collides with another vehicle on the road? If that is the state of metal, imagine what happens to the flesh and bones of the people inside those vehicles. These injuries often require surgery and physical therapy.
Soft Tissue Injuries
While many injuries are visible, some, such as soft tissue injuries, do not show up on X-rays. This happens because the muscles or ligaments that cushion the body stretch too far and tear in the process. These injuries tend to be long-lasting and painful.
Internal Organ Damage
The force of a car crash can damage internal organs like the liver or spleen, but you may not feel anything at first. These injuries cause internal bleeding and are life-threatening, which is why you should seek prompt medical care even if you feel okay immediately after the crash.
How Alcohol Contributes to Freeway Crashes
Believe it or not, alcohol makes a huge difference in freeway crashes because it affects the brain. Alcohol slows brain function, which impairs reaction time, judgment, and coordination.
When a driver feels “drunk,” they may see cars moving fast and frequent lane changes, but delays in reaction time can be deadly. Reports show that many high-speed crashes involve drivers with illegal blood alcohol levels.
Common injuries from such accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
When alcohol is involved in a freeway accident, legal consequences follow. Alcohol involvement can strengthen a personal injury claim and result in additional charges for the defendant. Here’s what that can look like:
- The impaired driver may be considered negligent (legally at fault)
- Damages may increase due to reckless behavior
- Criminal charges can support civil injury cases
Understand Your Rights With the Help of a Freeway Injury Lawyer
Freeway crashes can result in injuries that last a lifetime. This is why it is so important to contact a freeway injury lawyer. They can help you understand exactly what your case is worth so you receive compensation for the injuries you sustained because of someone else’s negligence.
At Freeway Injury Lawyer, we help you pursue compensation so you don’t have to shoulder the burden of someone else’s mistakes. If you’re ready to review your case, contact Freeway Injury Lawyer today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the most common injuries in freeway car crashes?
The common injuries in freeway car crashes include whiplash, head and brain injuries, broken bones, soft tissue damage, and internal organ injuries. These happen more often on freeways because of higher speeds and heavier traffic.
2. Can freeway crash injuries show up days later?
Yes. Injuries like whiplash or concussions may not cause pain right away. Symptoms can appear hours or even days after a crash, which is why medical checkups are important.
3. What should I do after an accident on today’s freeway?
After an accident on today’s freeway, move to safety if possible, call emergency services, and document everything with photos and witness information. Even if you feel fine, seek medical care.
4. Why are freeway accidents more dangerous than city crashes?
Freeway crashes involve higher speeds, which means stronger impact forces. This increases the risk of severe injuries like head trauma, spinal damage, and internal bleeding.
5. How does the alcohol content on the freeway increase accident risk?
Alcohol content on the freeway slows reaction time and impairs judgment. At high speeds, even a one-second delay can lead to serious collisions and life-threatening injuries.
6. What injuries are common in alcohol-related freeway accidents?
Alcohol-related crashes often cause severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken ribs, and internal organ damage because drivers are less likely to brake in time.
7. Should I see a doctor even if I feel okay after a crash?
Yes. Adrenaline can hide pain, and some injuries are internal. Seeing a doctor creates medical records that protect your health and your legal rights.
8. How long do freeway crash injuries take to heal?
Recovery depends on the injury. Minor injuries may heal in weeks, while serious, common injuries in freeway car crashes,like brain or spinal injuries, can take months or longer.
9. Can I get compensation for freeway crash injuries?
If another driver caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Documentation and medical records are key.
10. When should I contact a freeway injury lawyer?
You should contact a freeway injury lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. Early legal guidance helps protect evidence, deal with insurers, and ensure deadlines are not missed.
