Serious Injuries in a Multi-Vehicle Pileup
One minute, you may be cruising down the road, only to find yourself braking and swerving, trying not to hit the vehicle in front of you. While you may successfully avoid a collision, the two motorists behind you fail to brake in time, causing you severe injuries.
Each year, thousands of individuals are injured in multi-vehicle pile ups. A multi-vehicle pileup, also known as a chain reaction accident, can result in severe injuries, requiring hospitalization, surgeries, and months of rehab. While there are various reasons for a multi-vehicle pileup, the financial and emotional toll that it takes on a family cannot be understated.
At Raybin & Weissman, we are committed to helping injured persons regain the resources they need to move past such an ordeal. In this article, our Nashville car accident lawyers discuss common severe injuries that can occur from a multi-vehicle pileup and the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any strike, bump, or blow to the head can disrupt normal brain function, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The force of a chain reaction accident can place a lot of force on the skull, causing damage to delicate brain tissue. TBIs fall into two categories: Open (penetrating) and closed (non-penetrating) head injuries, with closed brain injuries being most common in motor vehicle crashes. Symptoms of a TBI may include dizziness, confusion, headaches, mood swings, and vision changes. If left untreated, it can prove deadly.
Abdominal Injuries
Unlike the brain, which is protected by the skull, and the torso, which is protected by our rib cage, our abdominal organs lack structural protection, making these organs prone to injuries in a high-impact crash. Following trauma, injuries to the liver and spleen are most common, resulting in bleeding that may go undetected. Symptoms may be subtle but often include lightheadedness, drowsiness, and abdominal cramping. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial that you seek medical attention right away.
Neck Injuries
Our cervical spine is prone to injury, given its ability to move in various directions, in addition to having to support the weight of our heads. A crash can cause a rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, causing muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments to be damaged in a condition known as whiplash. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, neck stiffness, vertigo, muscle spasms, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The force of a multi-vehicle collision can also compress your cervical spine, causing a pinched nerve. Symptoms may present as tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness. Neck injuries can be debilitating if proper treatment is not pursued.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injury to the spinal cord can impede the ability of the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. Car accidents comprise roughly 40% of all spinal cord hospitalizations, with unrestrained occupants suffering more severe injuries. Symptoms may present as difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, and inability to feel hot or cold, with more severe cases causing paralysis. The sooner medical intervention is sought, the better your chances of avoiding irreversible damage.
Burns
Burns after a crash can be severe, with electrical burns often being the most serious. Depending on the velocity at which an airbag deploys, severe burns can result. While electrical burns are often considered the most serious, airbag deployment can result in thermal and chemical burns, which often require medical intervention.
Compensation for Victims of a Multi-Vehicle Pileup
Whereas a crash can happen in a split second, recovery can be a lifelong process. If you have recently been injured in a multi-vehicle pileup, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Past and future lost wages
- Ambulatory services
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries and treatments
- Laboratory testing and medical imaging
- Prescription costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement and/or scarring
Unlike your average crash, a chain reaction accident is more complex, requiring someone who has experience evaluating and piecing together evidence. At Raybin & Weissman, our legal team will work with you to gather evidence and subpoena your medical records to prove the extent of your injuries. We work with expert witnesses who can examine your records and advocate on your behalf so that you are awarded the damages that are rightfully yours.
Speak with Our Nashville Car Accident Attorneys Today
The Nashville car accident lawyers at Raybin & Weissman know the devastation that can result from a multi-vehicle crash, shattering your future plans. Our legal team is dedicated to helping you recoup lost wages and medical costs, giving you the opportunity to find solid financial footing. To discover the actual worth of your accident case, do not hesitate to contact us online or by phone. We offer free consultations to new clients.