When a car gets into an accident, the driver and passengers can be injured in a variety of ways. Even restraint devices such as seatbelts and air bags that are installed for safety can hurt car occupants. In addition to the impact of a collision, cargo that is not secured in a car accident can slam into occupants and cause injuries.
The State of New York reported more than 128,000 personal injuries in car accidents in 2011. In New Jersey, the state police, who report fatal car crash statistics every year, said there were 586 fatal collisions that resulted in 627 deaths in 2011. Nationwide 2.2 million people were injured in 5.3 million motor vehicle traffic crashes reported to police in 2011, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Injuries suffered in a car accident can range from minor cuts and bruises, to broken bones and catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI), paralysis and amputations. They can lead to expensive medical bills and the need for rehabilitation therapy and assistive devices, and to lost income, potentially for many years.
The car accident attorneys of the Ginarte law firm have more than 150 years of combined experience helping car accident victims in New York and New Jersey obtain compensation to help them recover from their injuries. We can review the circumstances of your accident for free and help you seek the compensation you deserve. We ask for a legal fee only if you win your case.
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Typical NY / NJ Car Accident Injuries
Injuries suffered in a car accident may range from the most minor to the most debilitating and life-altering. They include:
- Neck injuries. Whiplash is a traumatic injury to muscles, ligaments and spinal disks in the neck. Whiplash is most commonly associated with the sudden jerking motion of a rear-end collision. Whiplash victims can suffer chronic pain, as well as problems with sleep, memory and concentration.
- Back (spine) injuries and paralysis. A spinal cord injury can cause paralysis in the arms or legs (known as “paraplegia”) or over larger areas of the body (“tetraplegia” or “quadriplegia”). Back injuries affecting the vertebrae, spinal disks or spinal cord that are less severe can still cause chronic pain and loss of mobility.
- Chest and abdominal injuries. The impact of a car crash can cause a rupture or tear in the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, bowel, diaphragm or other important organs. Injuries to major internal organs can be fatal. They may require surgery to repair.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Bruising, tearing or other injury to the brain is known as a “traumatic brain injury,” or TBI. A concussion is a mild TBI that typically heals over a month or two. Severe TBI can be chronic and may cause a variety of debilitating problems, including decline that is eventually fatal.
- Cuts (lacerations) and Bruises (contusions). These soft tissue wounds usually heal without problems, but deep bruising or cuts into muscle or internal organ are serious injuries that can cause profuse bleeding and shock. Cuts and bruises to the eyes may cause permanent vision loss.
- Burns. Fire or contact with hot elements of the vehicle after a serious car crash can lead to second- and third-degree burns. Deep tissue damage from a burn may require years of expensive and painful treatment before it heals. Smoke inhalation in a vehicle fire can cause lung damage.
- Broken bones (fractures). Car accidents frequently cause bone fractures, including broken arms, legs, collarbones, ribs and hips (pelvis). Broken bones take longer to heal and heal less thoroughly as people age, sometimes resulting in permanent disability. If the ends of broken and displaced bones, particularly the ribs, puncture internal organs, this can be a life-threatening complication.
Depending on their severity, injuries in a car accident may require emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing therapy and assistive care. A nonfatal injury may eventually contribute to an accident victims’ untimely death. An accident victim’s inability to return to work increases the financial burden of recovery. Those who struggle through lengthy recoveries may develop emotional problems, such as depression. Close family members, particularly those who provide care for a disabled accident victim, can also be affected psychologically.
Legal Help with Car Accident Injuries
Personal injury laws in New York and New Jersey allow car accident victims to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses.
- Impairment.
- Disfigurement.
- Lost income, including future losses.
- Pain and suffering.
- Punitive damages (in some cases).
Compensation after a serious car accident typically comes from the car insurance held by the driver at fault in the accident. But, like any profit-driven company, the insurance company will work to protect its bottom line first by seeking to make the smallest payment possible.
Speak With A Knowledgeable Professional
Let Ginarte help you with your recovery from car accident injuries. We know how to make a strong case and negotiate with insurance companies to obtain the maximum compensation allowed by law after a car accident. If negotiations fail, we are strong and successful litigators ready to take your case before a judge and jury.
Put a Ginarte Car Accident Lawyer to Work for You
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a New York City area car accident, you will face expenses and other losses that you should not have to handle alone. A Ginarte car accident lawyer can help you obtain all of the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
Call 1-888-GINARTE (1-888-446-2783) today or fill out our online contact form. Give us a chance to review your case and explain your legal options to you in a free meeting. We’ll only seek a fee after you win your case. Our offices are in Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton, Perth Amboy and Queens, and we would welcome a visit from you.