Most car accidents aren’t serious, with only property damage or very minor injuries. However, head-on collisions, rollover accidents, and other crashes can result in life-altering or fatal injuries.
Property damage to the vehicles and even the speed of the impact is not enough to determine if an accident was minor or serious. Even low-speed collisions can result in serious injuries as the force of the crash is transferred to the occupants instead of the vehicle.
If you have been involved in an accident in Lafayette, LA, it’s important to understand the most common injuries car accidents can cause. Many injuries may not be apparent for hours or even weeks after your crash.
If you need assistance with your claim or you’re unsure of the steps to take, Kenny Habetz Injury Law can help. Contact our law offices for a free initial consultation with a Lafayette car accident lawyer to discuss your case. You can call us at (337) 399-9000.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help if You’ve Been Hurt in a Lafayette Car Accident
After a serious car crash, you should be focused on your health and recovery, not how you will pay your medical bills or deal with insurance adjusters. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, an experienced Lafayette personal injury attorney can guide you through every step of the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our founding attorney at Kenny Habetz Injury Law has more than a decade of experience representing accident victims in Lafayette, Louisiana. He has recovered millions on behalf of clients since 2010. He has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers and Best Car Accident Lawyer in Lafayette by Expertise. He is also a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire our firm, we will:
- Carefully investigate your crash to gather evidence
- Identify all parties who may be liable
- Accurately calculate the full extent of your damages
- Work with experts as needed to prove causation and your losses
- Handle all negotiations and paperwork on your behalf
- Take your case before a jury if necessary
Contact our law office in Lafayette, Louisiana, today for a free consultation. At that time, we will listen to your story and help you understand your options.
How Many Lafayette Car Accidents Cause Injuries?
According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD), there were 37,608 crashes in Louisiana in 2023. These accidents caused 59,395 suspected injuries.
In Lafayette, 2,691 accidents caused 4,138 suspected injuries. These injured parties included:
- 2,807 drivers
- 1,195 passengers
- 66 bicyclists
- 63 pedestrians
There were 24 fatal crashes in Lafayette in 2023 that caused 26 deaths. Of that total, 24 fatalities were drivers and passengers. There were also two pedestrians and two bicyclists killed in Lafayette Parish. Across Louisiana, 689 fatal collisions killed 737 people.
What Are Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents in Lafayette, LA?
Most car accidents are fairly minor, with either no injuries at all or only insignificant harm. Of course, even a seemingly minor fender-bender can cause serious and long-lasting injuries. Here are the most common injuries caused by car accidents.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and fascia are very common after a crash. Examples of soft tissue injuries include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Bruises
- Lacerations
A soft tissue injury can cause bruising, swelling, and pain. While they are often considered minor injuries, they can cause lasting damage. Severe injuries can happen when a ligament or tendon tears completely, potentially leading to permanent instability and reduced function with a long, painful recovery.
Soft tissue injuries that cause nerve damage can also result in permanent loss of function and chronic pain.
Seatbelt Injuries
Wearing a seatbelt can protect you from more serious injuries or death in a car accident, but they can also lead to injuries as well. Seatbelt injuries may include:
- Abrasion
- Contusions
- Intra-abdominal injuries
- Vertebral fractures
A seatbelt is designed to transfer energy from a crash to the chest wall, clavicle, and superior pelvis. If the seatbelt rests too high over the superior pelvis or on the neck, force is transferred to the more vulnerable abdomen and neck.
When fractures occur, they are most common in the lumbar spine. If the seatbelt rests on the neck, it can cause cervical spine and clavicle or collarbone fractures. Other serious seatbelt injuries can include lacerations of the spleen and liver and injuries to the kidneys and pancreas.
Fractures
Broken bones are a common injury in an accident. Even low-speed crashes can cause fractures.
Common fractures from car accidents include:
- Collarbone fractures
- Rib fractures
- Vertebral fractures
- Skull fractures
- Facial fractures especially broken cheekbones, noses, and orbital sockets
- Pelvis fractures
- Leg fractures
- Fractures in the hand or wrist
Fractures can be the result of crushing injuries, direct impact, penetrating injuries, ejection from the car, force transferred from a seatbelt, or rapid back-and-forth movement.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries caused by a car accident. Brain injuries are classified as either mild (concussions), moderate, or severe. Even a concussion can have long-term effects. Moderate to severe brain injuries can lead to permanent impairment, disability, personality changes, cognitive changes, and other serious consequences.
After falls and firearm-related deaths, traffic accidents are the leading cause of brain injuries. They are the number one cause of TBI for children up to 15.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are one of the most common injuries in a car accident, especially rear-end collisions. Common neck injuries include:
- Neck sprain or strain
- Pinched nerves
- Cervical vertebral fractures
- Facet joint injuries
- Slipped or herniated discs
- Cervical spondylolisthesis
- Whiplash
Rear-end accidents cause more whiplash injuries than any other type of crash. This common injury happens when the head moves back and forth suddenly and forcefully. This causes damage to the ligaments, muscles, and tendons of the neck.
Back Injuries
The spinal structure and delicate balance of nerves, muscles, and tendons of the back are incredibly complex and easily injured. Most people experience at least some back pain after an accident. This is usually due to minor injuries like pulled muscles or lumbar sprains. It can also be a sign of more serious back injuries.
A car accident can cause herniated or bulging discs, compressed nerves, vertebral fractures, and injuries from blunt or penetrating trauma.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are severe injuries that are long-lasting or permanent and cause severe damage to major parts of the body. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Amputation injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Serious brain injuries
A catastrophic injury will affect you for the rest of your life. You may need lifelong medical care and assistance and be unable to work, enjoy your favorite hobbies, or live independently ever again.
Psychological and Emotional Injuries
The psychological, emotional, and mental injuries of a car accident can be just as serious as the physical injuries. The accident itself, the injuries you suffered, and the effect they have had on your life can leave you with PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, anger, and more.
In a personal injury claim, you can recover compensation for these non-economic damages, like pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Other Injuries From Car Accidents
Other common examples of car accident injuries include:
- Airbag injuries
- Burns
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Joint injuries
A car accident can quickly change your life forever and leave you with painful and long-lasting injuries, costly medical bills, and an uncertain future. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve to preserve your quality of life and get the treatment you need.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Qualified Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer
Have you been seriously hurt in a car accident in Lafayette, Louisiana? If you believe another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you have the right to recover compensation for the losses you have suffered. An experienced Lafayette car accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible party accountable and fight back against the insurance company.
Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law today for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer to explore legal options and what we can do to help.
