Potential Lasting Effects of a Car Accident
Posted on July 14, 2023 in Car Accident,Personal Injury
Vehicle accidents are not uncommon, but they can lead to significant long-term effects on those involved. The potential long-lasting effects of a vehicle accident are often related to traumatic injuries and any disabilities a person sustains. However, it is just as important to recognize the potential long term emotional and psychological effects that a vehicle accident and the injuries can have on an individual. After a crash, be sure to speak to a car accident lawyer in Portland for assistance with your case.
Traumatic Injuries and Disabilities
Information presented by the Oregon Department of Transportation shows that there were nearly 36,000 total vehicle collision injuries during the most recent reporting year across the state. Not every one of these injuries was necessarily severe, but many were. Some of the most severe injuries caused by vehicle accidents across this state include spinal cord trauma, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and crush injuries.
Unfortunately, severe injuries such as the ones you just mentioned can lead to significant long-term disabilities for those involved. Some of the most common long term complications associated with vehicle accident injuries include the following:
- Complete or partial paralysis
- The loss of a limb
- Partial loss of limb functioning
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Decreased range of motion
- Decreased cognitive capabilities
Severe traumatic car accident injuries often result in a significantly lower quality of life if individuals are unable to carry out their day-to-day activities or return to work activities. These long-term car accident effects not only affect individuals physically, but they can affect a person’s ability to earn the money they need to support themselves and their families.
Emotional and Psychological Pain and Suffering
The traumatic injury impacts a car accident victim may incur as a result of a collision and the aftermath are only part of the overall picture. Severe motor vehicle accidents, traumatic injuries, and the recovery process can also lead to victims sustaining significant emotional and psychological pain and suffering damages.
When a person experiences these types of incidents, it is not uncommon for them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, studies show that nearly 40% of all motor vehicle accident survivors develop some sort of PTSD in the days, weeks, and months that follow the incident.
The emotional and psychological impacts of a motor vehicle accident can last for quite some time after the incident occurs. Sometimes, the impacts of a vehicle accident are permanent. This can include feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear related to driving, motor vehicles, and even carrying out day-to-day activities.
Working With an Attorney for Fair Compensation
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident caused by the negligent actions of another party, and you think you may suffer from significant long-term complications, it is crucial to work with an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled car and truck accident lawyer in Portland will enlist assistance from trusted medical professionals who can conduct a full evaluation of the situation. This includes examining not only the current medical complications but also the possible long-term complications associated with the incident and the recovery process.
Your attorney will handle all communication with other parties and work to negotiate a fair settlement that takes into account all potential long-term complications that could arise. In some cases, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other party in order to move the case toward a trial.