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Sudden accidents and injuries can disrupt lives. During these tough times, car accident injury lawyers become indispensable allies. They fight for those injured due to others' negligence, ensuring just compensation. This article underscores the vital role these lawyers play in assisting people with their claims and restoring normalcy.
Dealing with Severe Injuries from Car Accidents in Iowa
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,362,000 people were injured in car accidents in 2012 alone. Some injuries from car accidents are more severe than others, with broken backs and disfigurement being among the most devastating. This article explores these injuries, their implications, and the importance of legal assistance.
Broken Back After a Car Accident
A broken back is one of the most severe injuries one can sustain in a car accident. This condition involves the fracturing of vertebrae in the spinal column, typically in the thoracic or lumbar regions. There are three major fracture patterns: flexion, extension, and rotation fractures, each with various types like compression fractures and axial burst fractures.
The Dangers of a Broken Back
When the vertebrae are fractured or dislocated, the spinal cord can be damaged, potentially leading to paralysis or other neurological issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spinal cord injuries can affect multiple systems, including nerves, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and mental health, often leading to long-term complications.
Even if the spinal cord is not damaged, fractured vertebrae often require medical treatment, surgery, and lengthy healing times, impacting one's ability to return to their previous lifestyle. Additionally, the trauma from such an injury can cause psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Protecting Yourself While Driving
The CDC reports that car accidents cause 46% of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of such injuries by 60%, and using both a seat belt and airbags reduces the risk by 80%. Ensuring these safety measures are in place can significantly alter outcomes in an accident.
Disfigurement from Car Accidents
Severe car accidents can also result in disfiguring injuries, which carry both physical and emotional consequences. Disfiguring injuries include the loss of limbs, severe burns, and facial scarring, all of which can drastically alter a person's life and self-perception.
Impact of Disfiguring Injuries
These injuries can hinder a person's ability to socialize, work, and maintain their quality of life. Physically, treatment can be extensive and costly, involving surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term medication. Emotionally, victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD, necessitating psychological counseling, which adds to the financial burden.
Traumatic amputations may require the use of prosthetics, and severe facial injuries might involve complex surgeries and ongoing medical care. The psychological impact of disfigurement can be profound, leading to lifelong emotional trauma.
Collecting Evidence After a Car Accident
Collecting evidence immediately after an accident is crucial for building a strong case. Key pieces of evidence include:
1. **Photographs**: Capture images of the crash scene, damaged vehicles, tire marks, damaged property, and relevant street signs and lights.
2. **Other Driver's Information**: Obtain the other driver's name, contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license and plate numbers.
3. **Witness Information**: Collect names and contact details of any witnesses and, if possible, their accounts of the accident.
4. **Police Report**: Get the responding officer’s name and case number to obtain a copy of the accident report.
5. **Additional Footage**: Identify any pictures, video footage, or surveillance footage that might have captured the accident.
Seeking Legal Help
Given the complexities of these cases, legal assistance is crucial. An Iowa injury law firm can help gather evidence, build a solid case, and fight for your rights. If you have suffered a broken back, disfigurement, or any severe injury in a car accident caused by another person, it’s essential to seek legal counsel to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Seeking Legal Assistance
Seeking legal counsel from experienced Iowa car accident attorneys such as those at Walker, Billingsley & Bair can provide invaluable support in filing insurance claims or pursuing personal injury lawsuits. With a comprehensive understanding of Iowa law, their team can help gather evidence, establish liability, and secure the compensation deserved by accident victims.
Suffering from the aftermath of a car accident shouldn't impede your pursuit of justice and fair compensation. The Iowa injury lawyers at Walker, Billingsley & Bair work hard to level the field between injured Iowans and insurance companies.
That's why we provide this FREE book; The Legal Insider's Guide to Iowa Car Accidents: 7 Secrets to Not Wreck Your Case. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation. Call 641-792-3595 to order your free accident book today.