Types of Injuries

Car Accident and other Personal Injuries

The types of injuries that an individual can suffer in a car accident or any other type of personal injury accident or circumstance are varied and extensive. These injuries range from minor, such as cuts, bruises, scrapes and sprains to those that are life-threatening and will forever change the victim’s future. Personal injuries may not only be physical but also psychological, affecting one’s personality or emotional composition. Those who are hurt and/or traumatized in such incidents may develop depression, anxiety, stress disorders, sleep disorders, memory problems, personality changes and other emotional problems.

The list of possible physical problems or damage than may result from accident injuries is unlimited, and may include, for example:

  • Traumatic brain injury, which can result in short-term or long-term memory loss, comas, cognitive problems, loss of certain motor skills, problems concentrating and more
  • Fractures
  • Spinal cord injuries, both complete (resulting in permanent paralysis) and incomplete (where some motion or sensation is retained below the area of injury)
  • Head injury, where the brain is not injured
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Internal bleeding or internal organ damage
  • Loss of limbs (amputation), toes, or fingers
  • Loss of eyesight or hearing
  • Severe burns
  • Scars and disfigurement
  • Ruptured or herniated discs
  • Whiplash
  • Soft tissue injury

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury is typically caused by a severe blow to the head. Damage caused to the brain at the moment of injury is often followed by secondary injury, which can manifest in the hours or days afterward. Secondary injury may include swelling and pressure on the brain within the skull, which can result in death. Traumatic brain injuries can create a range of consequential problems which can be physical, emotional, psychological and/or behavioural. These can include convulsions, nausea, dizziness, lack of coordination, speech problems, sleep problems, fatigue, personality changes, blurred vision, cognitive disability, confusion and more. Recovery may be complete or partial, depending on the case. Long-term rehabilitation may be required. In the most dire cases, the injured party may never regain consciousness or restored mental capacity.

If you or a loved one has sustained this type of injury, you are not alone. Mike Coric can provide the assistance you need in handling your claim or lawsuit as a BC brain injury lawyer, and he can advocate on your behalf to ensure that you receive the medical support and care that is essential to your recovery.

Spinal Cord Injuries

When the spinal cord is damaged, the communication channels between the brain and the rest of the body are disrupted, either temporarily (an incomplete spinal injury) or permanently (a complete spinal injury). In an incomplete spinal cord injury, the victim will retain some sensation or ability to move below the injured area. In a complete spinal cord injury, the victim will become paralyzed below the area of injury. Paraplegia (paralysis of the lower extremities) and quadriplegia (paralysis below the neck) are the result. Spinal cord injury victims may develop additional problems, such as respiratory problems. Most patients will require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Those who are permanently injured will never recover certain functions and may require personal assistance for the rest of their lives.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common motor vehicle accident injuries and may be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how badly the neck is injured. Whiplash may involve physical damage to the muscles, ligaments, joints and discs in the neck area. This damage may not be immediately noticeable, and often symptoms of whiplash do not manifest until hours or days later. If you believe you have sustained a whiplash injury, you should seek medical attention.

Get a Comprehensive Understanding of Your Injuries

The above are just some of the injuries you may suffer in a traffic accident as a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian. To ensure that your physical and psychological injuries are fully understood, diagnosed, documented and presented to ICBC and/or to the courts, you may need to consult with a qualified lawyer. Mike Coric is an experienced Vancouver car accident lawyer who can guide you through this process while making the experience as painless and stress-free as possible.