Common Injuries After a Car Accident in Wyoming

A car accident in Wyoming can produce practically every type of physical injury a person can experience. For drivers in the Equality State, it’s important to learn more about the most common injuries these accidents can cause and why contacting a car accident attorney after a crash is critical, no matter what injuries you suffer.

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

The physical characteristics of the neck make it particularly vulnerable to sudden motions, such as a sudden stop produced by a motor vehicle crash. The immediate deceleration causes the neck to snap back and forth, subsequently injuring the neck and spine through the great force generated.

Whiplash and neck injuries also occur frequently in rear-end crashes where the car in front is not moving or moving very slowly. A sudden blow from behind causes immediate acceleration, which also causes the neck to snap back and forth, damaging tissue and sometimes bone. In severe cases, the blow damages the spinal cord, and paralysis may result.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

The back may be protected by a seat. However, car accident forces can be extreme enough to cause serious back injuries. Blunt-force trauma can break a person’s back through the seat. Additionally, twisting forces can cause severe spinal cord injury. When no seat belt is worn, the opportunities for injury increase exponentially.

Head and Brain Injuries

In a car accident, various parts of the head and face are routinely injured, including:

• Eyes
• Nose
• Lips
• Teeth and gums
• Skin
• Brain

When a car accident produces enough force, the skull may be broken and the brain damaged. Even without an open-head wound, the brain is susceptible to traumatic damage. Exterior blows to the head and whipping motions can cause the brain to impact the inner cranium, as well as lead to stretching and tearing of brain and nerve matter.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Bone breaks and fractures are among the most common types of injuries in car accidents. Blunt force trauma characterizes most car accidents, and passengers and drivers are often on the receiving end of this trauma. In particularly severe cases, bone crushings occur.

Internal Injuries

Although well-protected in many places, the human body is largely exposed and powerless against extreme blunt force and piercing traumas. Even protected areas, such as under the ribs, lose much of their protection in a crash.

Internal injuries often pose issues because they can go largely undetected in the beginning, especially in seemingly non-serious car crashes. A crash victim may unfortunately decide not to seek treatment for a minor blow to the body in a crash and later experience complications due to internal bleeding.

Common internal injuries from a car accident in Wyoming include:

• Spleen damage or rupture
• Organs pierced by ribs
• Liver damage
• Internal damage leading to bleeding

Due to the seriousness of internal injuries, car accident victims are strongly encouraged to seek medical treatment after any blow to the body. Immediate medical treatment can mean the difference between life and death, even when an injury does not seem so serious.

Additionally, medical treatment will generate a report of the injury. This report will be an essential part of your car accident claim for compensation, as it verifies your injuries and the cause. If you wait to seek treatment, it could easily be argued that your injuries were caused or exacerbated by something other than the defendant's negligence.

Seeking Legal Help After a Car Accident

After a car accident, you have limited time to build the strongest case possible. Although Wyoming’s statute of limitations for car accidents is four years, accident cases often become more complex as time marches on after an accident. Fresh evidence becomes stale, difficult or impossible to acquire, or unreliable after time passes.

Take witness testimony, for example. A freshly recorded witness statement from the car accident scene or within a reasonable time after is usually far more reliable than a witness statement given by the same person three years later.

When you hire a Wyoming car accident lawyer in a timely manner, they will typically have access to better evidence, which can mean more compensation for you in a shorter period of time.

Keep in mind, though, that an experienced Wyoming car accident lawyer can still recover proper compensation for clients who wait until the last minute, as long as the evidence is there. If you think you may have a valid claim, it’s always worth consulting a lawyer to find out.

FAQ

What Are the Consequences of Serious Car Accidents?

A serious car accident is more than an annoying fender bender; it’s a life-changing event. These car accident victims can find their lives effectively derailed and detoured. Instead of pursuing their goals and dreams, many accident victims struggle with pain, suffering, and financial setbacks.

Accident victims also often find it difficult or impossible to enjoy life as they once did. Their pre-accident work and personal relationships can suffer as they cope to deal with their injuries and losses.

What Damages Are Available for Car Accident Injuries?

Fortunately, you can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses caused by car accidents in Wyoming, including:

• Medical and hospital bills
• Prescription medication
• Rehab
• Lost wages and future income
• Disfigurement
• Pain
• Mental anguish
• Loss of capacity to enjoy life

Car accident victims injured by malicious or reckless conduct may also be eligible for punitive damages.

Is Wyoming a No-Fault Car Accident Insurance State?

Wyoming is not a no-fault insurance state, which means that you are not automatically compensated for your injuries. Instead, you must present a case demonstrating another party was liable for your accident, which is why hiring a Wyoming car accident attorney is essential.

Get the Justice You Are Owed

Car accident injuries can wreak havoc on your life and your future. If someone else is responsible for your injuries, don’t hesitate to hold them accountable. A skilled car accident lawyer from the Spence Law Firm can recover the compensation you deserve from insurance companies.

Take the next step toward the justice you are owed, and contact us for a consultation today.