Automobile Accidents

Every year thousands of people die and many more are injured in car accidents resulting from the negligence of others. In fact in 2002, the DMV reported that there were 253,710 car accidents in New York State. Nationally, someone dies in a car accident every 12 minutes. Rich & Rich examines all avenues for recovery in your auto accident case including insurance as well as the aggressive pursuit of a negligence lawsuit. Below is a list of injuries commonly associated with auto accidents.

Whiplash
The most common injury resulting from a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when your neck is forced to move rapidly and uncontrollably. Whiplash can injure your spine, discs, ligaments and muscles in the neck. Whiplash can be short term or life long and can leave the neck forever vulnerable to injury. After a whiplash injury, your neck's natural curve may be reversed. This can distribute the weight of your head unevenly and cause vertebrae damage.
Head, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries
Auto accidents are a leading cause of head injuries. However head injuries do not only occur when your head hits the dashboard or the steering wheel; a head injury can occur when the brain experiences a sudden, rapid movement. Concussions are the most common types of head injuries resulting from car accidents. A concussion injury occurs when the brain is bruised by striking the cranium. The injury causes headaches, vomiting, dizziness and problems remembering or concentrating. Other head injuries may affect the brain more severely. Anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain is unable to receive oxygen. Traumatic brain injuries may result from closed or open head injuries and often involves bruising of the brain or swelling of the brain within the skull. Spinal cord injuries can also be life-changing injuries and may result in full or partial paralysis, impaired motor skills, and loss of bowel, bladder and sexual functions.
Burn Injuries
Automobiles may ignite in a collision and cause severe burn injuries. Burn injuries may have long recovery periods in specialized burn units. Often, burn victims require multiple skin grafts and/or reconstructive surgery. Burn injuries resulting from auto accidents require an experienced accident attorney.
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