If you, or a loved one, have been involved in a car accident recently, then you may have suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Each year, there are over 6 million car accidents across the United States. According the California Highway Patrol, there were over 13,000 injury accident in Orange County alone for the year 2008. Orange County personal injury lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates says that he sees a few common injuries with great frequency in his practice. If you have been in a recent car accident, please make sure that you consult with a licensed physician to determine of you have suffered any of these injuries.
One of the most common injuries suffered in a car accident is whiplash. Despite what you see on television, whiplash is an actual injury and can cause lasting damage if not treated properly. The term “whiplash injury” describes damage to both the bone structures and soft tissues, while “whiplash associated disorders” describes a more severe and chronic condition. Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person’s neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force. A car accident is a perfect backdrop for receiving a whiplash injury. Many people initially think that they did not suffer any injuries from a car accident, only to wake up the next day with classic whiplash symptoms. With proper treatment, a whiplash injury should heal completely.
Spinal cord injuries are also common car accident injuries says Orange County personal injury lawyer Emery Ledger. A spinal cord injury is an insult to the spinal cord resulting in a change, either temporary or permanent, in its normal motor, sensory, or autonomic function. Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis of legs, arms or both. A spinal cord injury needs to be treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage and possible paralysis. Spinal cord injuries often require surgery and months or years of physical therapy.
Back injuries are also common injuries suffered in car accidents. There are many types of possible back injuries, but a herniated disc is one of the more frequent injuries. A herniated disc injury can happen when the stress put on the spinal column in a car collision causes a piece of the spinal structure (called a disc) that separates your back bones or vertebrae, to move out of place. Again, the quicker the injury is diagnosed the better chance of healing completely.
If you have been involved in an Orange County car accident, make sure that you receive a thorough evaluation by a medical professional as soon as possible. As you can see, many car accident injuries are time sensitive. By waiting, you only make the injury worse and lesson your chances of a complete recovery.
If you have suffered injuries in a car accident and would like an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case, please contact Orange County personal injury lawyer Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates, Toll Free 1-800-300-0001 or visit http://ledgerlaw.com/tips-advice/car-accident-injury-tips/ for helpful tips on what to do after an auto accident.
