The average personal injury lawyers has seen many clients who were severely injured in automobile accidents. It may surprise you that not every serious car accident injury requires surgery, or that it’s even advisable in some cases. Surgery is invasive and carries some degree of risk. Depending on their condition, a car accident victim may do well with alternative healing treatments. Very often, those treatments can be included in their accident settlement or lawsuit award paid for by the at-fault party’s insurance company. Talk to a Memphis personal injury lawyer to find out if they can help you recover your damages from the negligent person responsible for causing your injury.
Here are some of the most common serious car accident injuries that do not always require surgery:
Closed Skull Fracture
A closed skull fracture is one in which the skin covering the fractured part of the skull has not been broken and remains completely intact. This injury is serious, but surgery cannot correct it. The symptoms indicating a serious closed skull fracture may not make it obvious to the untrained eye that there is a skull fracture of some variety, which is why it’s important to see a doctor immediately if you are involved in a car accident. In some cases, symptoms in the area of the fracture may present as follows:
- Massive swelling
- Severe pain
- Major bruising
Compound Head Fracture (Open Skull Fracture)
This occurs when the skin is broken and the fractured bone of the skull emerges. An open skull fracture is bloody and graphic. The “open” part of the fracture refers to broken skin and bone sticking out. The skill and forehead are very vascular, so there will be a lot bleeding as a result.
It is hard to say if the pain is worse than a closed fracture because closed fractures can build up a lot of pressure on the brain. Surprisingly, the treatment is very similar to a closed fracture. It must be kept clean and covered because of the protruding bone but most skull fractures heal themselves.
Severe Whiplash
Whiplash happens when your vehicle is rear ended suddenly and with great force. Whiplash tends to cause discomfort at a minimum. Severe whiplash can be much more serious and cause permanent damage. The whiplash injury is an injury to the neck and spine, so when it is severe, doctors worry because it does a lot of damage.
- It requires extensive treatment because surgery is not possible.
- Usually, the doctor will order the patient to stay as active as possible and wear a cervical collar usually a week or less while the neck is healing.
- Pain medication and muscle relaxers are used for discomfort and spasms.
With severe whiplash, the intervertebral joints are often battered. Additionally, the injuries extend to the joints, spinal discs, cervical muscles, ligaments and nerves in the upper back and neck.
Recovering Damages from a Severe Injury After a Car Accident
A reputable law firm can review your case at no charge. If you have suffered an accident for which surgery cannot help, the recovery process may be painful, long, and accompanied by extensive physical therapy, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you. An injury claim or lawsuit settlement can ease your financial worries and pay for your medical costs. Talk to a personal injury lawyer today to find out if this is a viable solution for you.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Wiseman Bray PLLC for their insight into car accident cases.