For others, severe injuries with lifelong impacts like permanent disability will be the reality.

The more severe the crash, the more likely you will be to have a serious injury. Even if you feel like you’re fine, you should seek medical treatment to get a full diagnosis. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can recover your financial losses such as medical bills and lost wages to help you pick up the pieces in the aftermath.

Here are some of the most common types of car accident injuries in Illinois.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) must be treated immediately. Injuries to the brain can impact brain function and lead to headaches, loss of cognitive ability, changes in mood, and sleeping problems.

Concussions

While a concussion can happen when there is a direct impact to the skull, such as slamming it into your steering wheel or door in the crash, it can also occur with side-to-side and front-to-back motion. Concussions may not be obvious immediately after the accident. If you develop a headache or dizziness, feel intense pressure in your head, or hear ringing in your ears, seek immediate medical assistance.

Whiplash

When your neck whips from a sudden stop, it strains the tendons and muscles in your neck. You may feel stiff and sore and experience a reduced range of motion.

Herniated Disc

When one or more vertebrae in your spine rupture or shift out of place, you will feel discomfort and suffer from nerve-related injuries. Surgery may be required to correct a herniated disc—but even then, you will likely feel pain from this for the rest of your life.

Broken Bones

The force of a car crash can break bones in the legs, feet, hands, and arms. When you try to move and feel extreme pain and notice bruising, swelling, and redness, you will need X-rays to help determine if anything was broken.

Broken Ribs

Broken ribs are even more problematic as they can puncture your vital organs. This is why you shouldn’t refuse medical treatment at the scene of a major car accident.

Internal Bleeding

Some car accidents leave behind obvious injuries. However, internal bleeding is not obvious from the exteriors. If not treated immediately, blood could accumulate under your skull, putting pressure on the brain. Other organs may suffer such as the spleen, and neglecting to treat internal bleeding could even be fatal.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly develops after someone has experienced a traumatic event. Many car accident victims are diagnosed with PTSD, which can make you afraid of driving and bring terrifying memories back when you’re behind the wheel.

How Your Injuries Affect Your Claim

If a car accident is caused by a negligent driver, you can file a claim to recover your compensation. In Illinois, there is no formula to determine what you’ll get in a car accident claim.

Regarding your injuries, it will depend on how severe they are and how they have impacted your life. You will have medical bills for emergency medical care following the accident, and you may need expensive surgeries to repair the damage or physical therapy to help you recover. You may have lost mobility and suffered mental anguish, preventing you from doing the things you once loved.

You must keep all records of your expenses related to the crash. However, don’t forget that there is more to a car accident claim than economic damages. You can receive compensation for your non-economic damages as well.

If you need a car accident attorney in Buffalo Grove residents can contact the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C. to learn more about their rights and how to get maximum compensation.