Passing the Bar – Starting Your Legal Journey
Posted in: Legal Blog
KNR Legal Blog
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, there were 1,275 fatal crashes and over 70,000 injury crashes in 2022. Nationally, the CDC reports that over 2.1 million Americans visited emergency departments due to crash-related injuries in 2023.
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from mild whiplash to severe spinal cord damage. If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, understanding the nature of your injuries and your legal options is essential.
Below, the Ohio car accident lawyers at KNR explain the most common car accident injuries, what symptoms to look for, and how to recover compensation for your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
One of the most serious outcomes of a crash, traumatic brain injuries often occur when the head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, window, or airbag. Even a seemingly minor concussion can have lasting effects on memory, mood, and cognitive function. In more severe cases, patients may suffer skull fractures, hemorrhaging, or long-term disability.
Common TBI Symptoms:
Treatment often includes CT scans, monitoring for swelling, and sometimes surgery. Recovery may involve weeks or months of rest and neurological therapy. Documenting symptoms early is crucial, as the effects of a TBI may not appear right away.
Neck and back injuries are extremely common in rear-end collisions. The sudden back-and-forth motion during impact often causes whiplash, a soft tissue injury affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. More severe crashes can lead to herniated discs, spinal fractures, or even permanent spinal cord damage.
Long-Term Effects May Include:
Treatment may involve physical therapy, chiropractic care, or surgery. Delaying care can worsen your prognosis—and weaken your legal claim.
High-impact crashes frequently cause fractures, especially to the arms, legs, wrists, ribs, and pelvis. Some breaks may heal with casting or immobilization, while others require surgery and physical therapy. A fractured bone can take months to fully heal and may impact your ability to work or care for yourself.
Facial injuries can result from contact with the steering wheel, airbag deployment, broken glass, or flying debris. These may include lacerations, jaw fractures, eye injuries, or dental damage. Many victims require cosmetic or reconstructive surgery in addition to medical care and dental treatment.
Crash victims may not notice internal injuries right away. Damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or lungs can be life-threatening. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bruising, or shortness of breath, sometimes appearing hours after the crash.
Immediate imaging and emergency care are vital. Internal injuries often lead to costly hospital stays and future health complications.
Not all car accident injuries are physical. Many crash victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression following a traumatic collision—especially those involving fatalities or permanent injuries. This emotional toll can affect sleep, relationships, and quality of life.
Signs of Crash-Related Emotional Trauma:
Treatment may involve counseling, medication, and long-term therapy. Documenting your mental health care is critical when seeking compensation for emotional distress.
One of the most important steps after a car accident is to seek medical attention immediately—even if you feel “okay.” Many injuries, like whiplash, internal bleeding, or TBIs, may not show symptoms right away. Prompt treatment not only improves your physical outcome, but it also strengthens your legal case.
Medical records serve as key evidence in your injury claim. Emergency room visits, specialist referrals, MRIs, treatment plans, and therapy notes all prove the nature and severity of your injuries.
So, keep all bills, diagnoses, and appointment records. Your attorney will use these documents to negotiate a settlement or argue your case in court.
After a car accident, medical bills can pile up fast, from emergency room visits and surgery to rehab and prescription medications. If another driver is at fault, their insurance should cover your costs. In the meantime, your health insurance, MedPay, or auto insurance may help with immediate expenses. An experienced attorney can also negotiate medical liens and protect your rights.
Learn More about How to Get Your Medical Bills Paid
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can pursue compensation. However, insurance companies often undervalue or deny claims outright without strong legal representation.
At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we’ve helped thousands of Ohio crash victims recover the compensation they need. Our team will take care of every detail: collecting medical documentation, building a case to prove liability, negotiating with insurance providers, and—if necessary—fight for you in court.
Call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation.