As commuters returned to the roads in 2021, New Jersey saw a 19% increase in car crash fatalities compared to 2020, with 699 fatalities. But the increase in fatalities wasn’t necessarily due to the end of work from home arrangements: fatal crashes were up in 2020 as well.
Regardless of the cause, this is disturbing news for New Jersey drivers. Below I’ll discuss the types of injuries that can be fatal, why it is imperative that injured victims receive medical care after a car crash, and when it could be worth consulting a Northern New Jersey car accident attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates.
Most Common Fatal Crash Injuries
Some types of crashes are more likely to result in fatalities than others. Those that happen at high speeds, head-on collisions, and collisions that directly impact the driver or passenger side of the vehicle are among the most dangerous types of accidents. Rollovers are another common cause of serious injuries and death. In terms of the injuries themselves, they include:
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries, where there is a blow to the head or an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue, are among the most common types of fatal injuries after a crash. While some cases of traumatic brain injury result only in temporary unconsciousness, more serious injuries can result in life-altering injuries including severely compromised mental capabilities, coma, and death.
Traumatic brain injuries can unfold over time, and may not be apparent right away, so make sure to seek medical attention right away if you receive a blow to the head during a crash.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are also incredibly common after a car accident. In fact, car accidents are the most common cause of this injury. In mild cases, you may experience nerve or spinal cord damage that you recover from over time. In other cases, however, you may experience chronic health issues. In the most serious cases, a spinal cord injury can result in difficulty breathing, loss of movement, paralysis, and if the spinal cord is completely severed, death.
If you experience any of these symptoms, make a trip to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is another common type of fatal injury. It’s also among the scariest because internal bleeding and injuries are typically not immediately recognizable by victims. If the injury is serious, unless you visit an emergency room, internal bleeding or injury can quickly lead to death. Of course, some internal injuries are more serious than others, but this is why it is crucial to visit the emergency room after an accident.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are certainly not something any of us wants to experience, but we seldom imagine a broken bone having the potential for fatality. However, after a break, bone fragments can puncture organs. In car accidents in particular, many people experience fractured ribs which can pierce the heart, lungs, intestines, and other organs. If you suspect that you have a break, seek medical care immediately to ensure that something more serious isn’t going on.
Unfortunately, our Northern New Jersey car accident attorneys see these types of injuries with great frequency. What’s worse is that insurance companies are more hesitant to pay victims what they need to recover after a major injury because the bills are incredibly expensive. If you find yourself with serious injuries, or if a loved one faces life-threatening injuries after a crash, Buttafuoco & Associates can help you understand your rights during a free consultation.
Do You Have a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Fatal accidents are often preventable–and in a serious accident, the driver is almost always at fault. Traveling at high speeds, driving while distracted (including seemingly ‘harmless’ actions like texting), causing a head-on collision by driving on the wrong side of the road, or running a light and T-boning the passenger side of a vehicle are all examples of fatal accidents the Northern New Jersey car accident attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates have seen in our offices.
In cases of severe negligence and injury, the family of the victim can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of lawsuit can compensate the family of victims for a variety of economic losses including funeral and medical costs, mental and emotional pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. Essentially, if a loved one dies in a car accident, the family may be compensated for any losses the victim would have been entitled to had they lived.
You can read our recent blog to further understand the specifics of a wrongful death case, but if you believe your loved one died on the road due to another driver’s negligence, it is important to get in touch with an attorney right away. They can explain your rights and give you a sense of whether or not you have a case.
At Buttafuoco & Associates, our car accident lawyers serving Northern New Jersey offer free consultations. Our goal is always to help victims receive the maximum possible compensation to help them through these difficult times.
The Importance of Seeking Treatment
After an accident, it is essential to seek medical treatment right away. As you can see, the severity of many of the injuries above can go unnoticed without a proper diagnosis. What seems like a mild concussion could become deadly within hours or days if it isn’t caught early. Internal bleeding or injury can likewise lead to severe and sudden health impacts. A traumatic brain injury can cause death even days later.
In addition to saving your life, getting medical treatment after a serious accident gives you the best possible shot at receiving fair compensation from your insurer or from the responsible party. The longer you wait to get a diagnosis, the more your story can be called into question by insurance companies. The unfortunate reality is that insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible so they can meet their bottom line. Getting fair compensation after a serious car accident can be incredibly difficult.
Always keep records and receipts of your medical treatments and paperwork. Your attorney will need access to this evidence in order to create a strong claim.
Need Help? Call Buttafuoco & Associates Today
If you have questions about the legal process after a serious accident, a car accident lawyer in Northern New Jersey can help you with your settlement and explain the law to you. At Buttafuoco & Associates, we treat clients as we would our own families and it is our mission to support you through this difficult time.
Get in touch with us today at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
