Most Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
It is not advisable to drive after consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair a motorist’s ability to drive safely. Even at blood alcohol levels that are within the state’s legal limit, alcohol can negatively affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Alcohol can cause, among other things, impaired vision, reduced concentration, reduced reaction times, drowsiness, and overconfidence, which can lead to unnecessary risk-taking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers kill one individual every 45 minutes in the U.S. This means that every day, 32 people die in the United States in drunk-driving-related accidents. If a drunk driving-related accident does not result in death, it will most likely result in serious injuries. The following are some of the most common injuries in drunk driving accidents;
#1: Traumatic Brain Injuries
Among the most common injuries people suffer in drunk driving accidents are traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury occurs when a person suffers head trauma. There are several forms of traumatic brain injuries people can suffer in drunk driving crashes, and they include closed head injuries, such as a concussion, and open head wounds, such as skull fractures. A traumatic brain injury can have devastating consequences. Such an injury can impact a person’s hearing, vision, emotions, and memory and limit their ability to work and perform daily activities. A traumatic brain injury can leave a person paralyzed.
#2: Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury arises when the spinal cord suffers blunt force trauma. If, for example, a victim is forcefully hit from behind or the side, their spine is at risk of being damaged. If the spinal cord injury suffers severe damage, a person may become paralyzed. A spinal cord injury can affect a person’s ability to work or function.
#3: Limb Injuries
Broken or crushed limbs are also quite common in drunk driving accidents. Such injuries may require surgery and long-term physical therapy. In more severe cases, a person’s limb may be amputated.
#4: Organ Damage
A drunk driving accident victim can suffer internal injuries, including organ damage. Unfortunately, organ damage can be life-threatening. Some of the internal organs that can suffer damage in a driving accident include the lungs, kidneys, and the spleen.
#5: Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries in drunk driving accidents may involve torn or stretched tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the shoulder, back, or neck. A soft tissue injury can result in chronic pain. A common type of soft tissue injury people suffer in drunk driving accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when a person’s neck moves back and forth rapidly and forcefully. This kind of injury is most common in rear-end accidents but can occur in any type of car accident.
#6: Burns
If a drunk driving accident occurs and the vehicles involved explode and catch fire, a victim could suffer burns. Burns can cause, among other things, permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma.
Speak to a Skilled Miami Personal Injury Attorney
If you suffer injuries in a drunk driving accident, you should be eligible to recover damages from the drunk driver. Our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you file your claim and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/index.html
