Physical therapist or doctor checking a personal injury patients elbows at the clinic office room.

Getting Legal Help for Common Personal Injuries & Accidents

If you’ve recently been injured due to an accident—such as a car accident, a slip or fall, or a work-related injury—you may be wondering if you're entitled to any financial compensation for damages.

Understanding and being able to identify several common accidental injuries, can better help you find the resources you need to best manage the aftermath of your accident—and get the legal representation and reparations you deserve.

 

Minor accidents

In minor fender benders, injuries, or accidents, you may sustain only superficial injuries, such as cuts and scrapes that may or may not require a few stitches. Sprains and strains to your neck or shoulders, or your major joints (such as your wrists, ankles, or knees) may also occur. 

After a “best-case scenario” accident, you may be healthy enough to walk away without needing in-depth medical attention. But, even if you think your injury is minor and you have no visible scrapes or bruises, you should still document everything you remember and experienced in your accident while it is still fresh in your mind.

Additionally, it is important to follow-up with your primary care physician as soon as you can. Adrenaline rises in times of stress, and occasionally individuals involved in accidents don’t feel the physical repercussions until hours or even days later. (Your doctor will be able to help you best determine your level of injuries, and the best possible treatment.)

 

Managing more serious injuries

According to the National Safety Council, the top three accidental injuries are poisoning, auto accidents, and falls. The latter can be surprising for many people; it may be hard to believe that a seemingly simple accidental fall can lead to a rather serious injury.

Understanding some common injuries seen by doctors and lawyers attending to more serious accidents can be helpful in identifying if you might have an accidental injury case. 

Let’s take a look at a several healthy issues many people experience in accidents, and how they might present themselves: 

  • Bruised, cracked, or broken ribs: The fragile bones that make up your rib cage are particularly prone to bruising, cracks, and breaks. And, an impact, even a seeming light one, from a car accident or fall can cause a break. Often painful, this injury can be tricky to treat and may require long periods of rest to ensure full recovery.
  • Head injuries: Complications from serious falls and car accidents are common contributors to major head injuries. This type of injury is best identified by your doctor, and may include side effects like a concussion and/or vision issues, nausea, headaches, or sleep issues. 
  • Herniated disc: A painful byproduct of a heavy-duty impact, a herniated disc can occur when one or more vertebrae in your spine move out of place or ruptures. Depending on the severity of this injury, you may be able to treat with hot and cold compresses and lots of rest—or you may require ongoing physical therapy or more in-depth medical care.
  • Internal bleeding: Sometimes the impact of an accident isn’t visible externally, but instead presents as internal bleeding. Because it is difficult to initially identify, internal bleeding can be particularly dangerous—especially if it isn’t treated quickly. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to seek immediate medical attention for anything that’s not a very minor injury. And, equally important, to follow-up with your doctor as soon as possible if you’ve experienced a minor injury (to rule out any larger, unforeseen injuries).
  • Joint trauma: Your ankles and knees, wrists and elbows are all prone to injury during accidents—particularly in falls when you instinctively reach out to catch yourself. Or, in car accidents, when your knees often strike the dashboard. All of the above can cause pain, bruising, or ligament damage. Joint injuries may necessitate you missing work, or decrease your mobility and require surgery and/or a brace or crutches to help you heal fully and regain normal function. 
  • Other broken bones and miscellaneous strains: Many accidents, car accidents in particular, put large amounts of strain and force on parts of your body otherwise not used to high levels of pressure. Those bones and tissues may break or rip under that pressure.
  • Whiplash: Very common in car accidents, whiplash is an injury affecting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck. It can be particularly painful, and often takes a long time to heal and requires you maintain very limited motion of your head and neck.  

Another type of injury not often considered in accidents isn’t just physical, but psychological. The scariness and intensity of a serious accident can impact you mentally and emotionally—in addition to physically. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common issue, but can be addressed and managed with proper psychological care and counseling. 

 

Follow-up care

In addition to medical treatment you received immediately after—or at the scene—of your accident, you may require follow-up care. This can include the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • In-home nurse visits or caregivers
  • Psychological support
  • Chiropractic care
  • Dental or orthodontic care
  • Plastic surgery

Accidents can be frightening, and make you feel overwhelmed and alone. We’re here to help! Careful and attentive legal services can provide the help and guidance you need to find appropriate healthcare--and help you cover costs and/or damages that may have been incurred by your accident.

 

Get the support and help you deserve

Handling a personal injury claim on your own can be difficult, especially when you’re having to also balance work and family responsibilities. Our team at Wilson Williams Law is here to help you sort out the legal paperwork and medical claims. Let us handle your managing case, so you can focus on healing and caring for yourself and/or your family. 

Regardless of the magnitude of your accident, or the injuries you’ve endured, our attorneys can help guide you through the various steps involved in the personal injury claim process. Get in touch with us today

We look forward to helping with your or your loved one’s personal injury claim process.

 

Note: This blog is intended to be informational only and shall not be construed as legal advice.