Car accidents are a common and unfortunate reality in Hawaii, leading to various types of injuries. Understanding the most common car accident injuries can help you navigate the recovery process and protect your legal rights. Whether you’re involved in a minor fender-bender or a more serious collision, knowing what injuries to look out for is crucial for both your health and potential legal claims.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries
There are many common car accident injuries. However, there are six that we repeatedly see.
1. Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries in Hawaii, especially in rear-end collisions. It occurs when the head is jerked forward and then backward suddenly, causing strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck. A shoulder belt that crosses under the neck instead of the chest can also result in a neck injury.
This injury can lead to long-term pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, neck pain, headaches, and chronic discomfort. These potentially long-term repercussions make it essential for victims to seek prompt medical care.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most common injuries from a car accident and can range from mild to severe. Severe spinal cord injuries may be one of the worst car accident injuries you can experience, as the spinal cord impacts so many bodily functions, including the ability to walk.
The lasting effects of a damaged spinal cord can include paralysis or permanent nerve damage. Depending on the severity of the injury, a spinal cord injury may require long-term medical care and can lead to life-altering consequences.
3. Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are common in car accidents. A blow to the head can cause bruising, bleeding, or swelling in the brain, leading to serious long-term effects such as memory loss, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.
Even mild head injuries can have long-lasting consequences. In Hawaii, where motor vehicle accidents often occur in both urban and rural settings, a TBI can result from both low and high-impact crashes. It’s important for victims to monitor any symptoms of concussion or brain injury after an accident and seek immediate medical treatment.
4. Broken Bones
Fractures are among the most common car accident injuries, affecting various parts of the body. The impact of a crash can cause broken arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. Injuries like broken limbs can require surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Fractures resulting from car accidents can limit mobility, affecting everyday activities and recreational pursuits.
5. Chest Injuries
The chest is a vulnerable area during car accidents, especially in side-impact and head-on collisions. Broken ribs, internal organ damage, and bruising can occur when the body is thrown against the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag.
These injuries can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Due to the high-risk nature of chest injuries, it’s important to seek urgent care.
6. Emotional and Psychological Injuries
While physical injuries often take the spotlight, emotional and psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, are also common after a car accident. The trauma of the event can linger long after physical wounds have healed, impacting your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Hawaii’s close-knit community places a high value on family and emotional health, and victims should not overlook the importance of seeking psychological support after an accident.
Why Hawaii’s Unique Environment Matters
Hawaii’s geographic features, such as winding roads, sudden weather changes, and high tourism traffic, increase the likelihood of certain types of accidents. Heavy traffic congestion in Honolulu now extends from morning through night resulting in commensurately more collisions, frustration, and road rage.
From urban Honolulu to the rural areas of the islands, the diverse conditions create unique challenges for drivers and increase the risk of severe accidents. For example, rainstorms can lead to slippery roads, and the island’s mountainous terrain can make high-speed crashes more likely, resulting in severe injuries.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident in Hawaii
If you’ve sustained injuries in a car crash, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s essential to get checked by a healthcare professional. If you wait, you risk the insurer claiming that your injuries happened in an unrelated incident or that you made your injuries worse by not seeing a doctor right away.
- Document the scene. If you are physically able and can do so safely, take photos and video, gather witness statements, and note the details of the accident. This evidence can help build your case.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Hawaii can guide you through the process. We can help you understand your options and maximize your compensation.
It is important to contact a lawyer as soon as you can to preserve your legal right to file a civil lawsuit. At Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, we have the experience and resources to help victims of car accidents in Hawaii. Our team will fight for your rights, ensuring you receive the care and compensation you deserve.
How Our Firm Can Help
Our firm has a long history of success in handling car crash cases. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident in Hawaii, we offer free consultations to evaluate your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless and until we recover compensation for you.
If you’re facing challenges after a car accident involving serious injuries or death, contact us today for guidance and support. We’re dedicated to helping you through every step of the recovery and legal process.
Loading...