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Auto accidents linked to post-traumatic stress disorder

When most people think about the impact of a car accident, they think of lacerations, broken bones, head trauma and other physical injuries.  Many people don’t consider the mental after-effects of a serious auto crash.  Some doctors believe that car accident victims can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and the symptoms can last for decades.

According to researchers, PTSD is most often experienced by victims of a very serious auto accident especially one involving fatalities.

PTSD symptoms can include:

• cold sweats
• panic attacks
• nightmares
• insomnia
• compulsive behavior
• persistent worry / anxiety

Researchers estimate that up to 45% of auto accident victims suffer from PTSD symptoms.  If you were in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident and suspect that you are experiencing PTSD symptoms, let your doctor and your attorney know.  There is treatment available for PTSD, and the sooner your symptoms are recognized and addressed the better for you.

Contact Tavss Fletcher at (757) 625-1214 for legal advice regarding your car, truck, or motorcycle accident case.

Spinal Cord Injury Caused by a Car, Motorcycle or Truck Accident

If you have been affected by a spinal cord injury or know someone who has, you know that it is a devastating and life changing event.  A spinal cord injury will often lead to a permanent disability or paralysis and a loss of sensation below the site of the injury.  Damage to the spinal cord cannot be reversed.

The spinal cord carries sensation and motor signals to and from the brain.  When the spine is injured, it can result in segmental losses of interneurons and motorneurons, which disrupt these signals.  One of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries is car accidents.  However, a spinal cord injury can also be caused by a motorcycle crash, truck accident, fall, gun shot or sports-related accident.

It is not uncommon for an individual to be unaware of a spinal cord injury.  Sometimes the symptoms are not immediately apparent.  Usually numbness or paralysis will occur right after the injury, but other times the symptoms appear gradually as the area around the spinal cord begins to bleed or swell.

Some of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury include unconsciousness, paralysis in any part of the body, numbness in the limbs, trouble walking, head, neck or back pressure, pain in the spine, immobility, loss of sensation, loss of bladder control, spasms and difficulty breathing.

Even though it is impossible to undo the damage to the spinal cord, advancements in surgical procedures and medical treatment can help improve the recovery of the patient.  Treatment is generally focused on helping the patient have an active and healthy life.  After a patient is stabilized, doctors will work on a plan to avoid further complications, such as blood clots, deconditioning, muscle contractures and bed sores.

The ongoing care and lifestyle change associated with a spinal cord injury can place a substantial burden on the victim and the victim’s family members.  If you or someone you love has a spinal cord injury that was the result of another person’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation to pay for medical care and lost wages.  Contact Tavss Fletcher at (757) 625-1214 for legal advice.

The article, Spinal Cord Injury – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, has additional information about these types of injuries.

The risks of serious head trauma in a motorcycle accident

Whether you wear a helmet or not, head injuries are one of the biggest risks in serious motorcycle accidents.  In fact, head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents.  If you chose not to wear a helmet, you are 40% more likely to suffer a fatal brain injury in an accident and 15% more likely to sustain a non-fatal head injury.

The effect of head trauma on motorcycle riders involved in accidents is a major concern for two reasons.  First of all, the injuries themselves can be quite severe, if not fatal.  Brain injuries can result in memory loss, loss of coordination, seizures, and an inability to continue to work or pursue hobbies.

If the physical effects are not bad enough, there are also the costs associated with a serious motorcycle head injury to consider.  Treating injured bikers in a hospital can be quite costly, and the injury may require ongoing care or therapy that over time can add up to a staggering amount.  If you’ve been seriously injured in a Virginia motorcycle accident, then you should consider speaking to an experienced attorney at Tavss Fletcher about what compensation you’ll need to move on with your life.

Read more about motorcycle head injuries in our library article, “Motorcycle accidents and serious head trauma” and review facts about motorcycle accidents in “Motorcycle Accident Injury and Fatality Facts”.