Areas Served
Whether you’re navigating rush-hour traffic on Route 56 or driving home along a back road, there’s always a risk of getting in a crash. You may have already been unfortunate enough to discover that some car accidents can be life-altering.
If you’re involved in one of these crashes caused by another person’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. That compensation can help cover medical costs, make up for lost wages, and otherwise cover expenses while you recuperate.
If you’ve been involved in an accident like this, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to talk to an experienced car accident attorney. Give Stine & Associates, P.C. a call or get in touch online today. Your first consultation is free, and you don’t pay anything unless you receive compensation for your case.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Johnstown
A large proportion of car accidents are fender-benders or only result in minor injuries. But if you’ve been involved in one of the relatively few major accidents in Johnstown and the surrounding areas, you already know the impacts can be devastating.
In 2023, there were 155 reported car accidents in Johnstown and 858 reported accidents in Cambria County as a whole. Of the accidents in Johnstown, 11 were fatal or resulted in a serious injury or suspected serious injury. Of those in Cambria County, 55 were fatal or resulted in a confirmed or suspected serious injury.
Many of these serious injuries are recorded as “suspected” because some life-threatening injuries — including internal bleeding and some spinal cord injuries — only show minor symptoms at first. That’s why it’s so important to seek immediate medical care after a crash. It could save your life.
Unfortunately, there are many kinds of serious injuries you can suffer as a result of a car accident.
Spinal Cord Injuries
When many people think of serious spinal cord injuries, their minds go straight to paralysis. Paralysis is the result of a complete spinal cord injury in which the spinal cord is completely severed, and you lose all feeling and movement below the injury.
A complete spinal cord injury in your neck can cause paralysis in all four limbs (sometimes called “quadriplegia”). If the complete injury is below your arms, you’ll likely suffer paralysis in your legs (sometimes called “paraplegia”).
You also may suffer an incomplete spinal cord injury, meaning the spinal cord is not completely severed. These injuries can cause issues with movement, sensation, or both.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can have a wide variety of symptoms that impact almost every area of your life. Each TBI is slightly different, and symptoms may be short-lived, long-term, or even permanent. These are some of the symptoms you might experience if your accident causes a TBI:
- Loss of consciousness
- Short-term or long-term memory loss
- Trouble thinking clearly or making decisions
- Problems with speech and vision
- Persistent headaches
- Depression or mood swings
- Trouble focusing
- Seizures
If you have a TBI, it’s critical to follow all of your doctor’s treatment guidelines. Doing so can reduce your risk of long-lasting or permanent effects.
Broken Bones
In a car accident, it’s possible to break nearly any bone in your body. Some breaks can be put in a cast and allowed to heal on their own. However, comminuted fractures (where the bone breaks into more than two pieces) and compound fractures (where the bone breaks through the skin) will usually need surgical repair.
Herniated Discs
Discs are fibrous “cushions” between your vertebrae (the bones of your back). Extreme trauma from a car accident can cause a disc to rupture or protrude outward. When that happens, it puts pressure on your spinal nerves and can cause debilitating pain.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is dangerous because it can be hard to spot. It happens when an internal injury leads to bleeding into your abdominal cavity or pelvic cavity. If it isn’t caught in time, internal bleeding can lead to death from blood loss.
Injuries Resulting in Amputation
If you have very significant injuries to one of your limbs, doctors will typically do all they can to save it. In some cases, however, the only option is to amputate it.
Having a limb amputated can have a massive impact on your quality of life — you may lose the ability to walk and perform everyday tasks, and it may be difficult or impossible to work or enjoy hobbies like you used to.
How a Johnstown Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
Some people view car accident claims as an attempt to capitalize on a car accident. However, these cases aren’t about money. They’re about covering your expenses and helping you heal.
When you work with a personal injury lawyer, your attorney will fight for compensation for many types of losses (called “damages”) you suffered because of the accident.
Medical Bills
Serious injuries almost always prove to be extremely expensive to treat. Emergency stabilizing care is costly, and in many cases, major injuries also require ongoing care and rehabilitation.
Lost Past and Future Wages
In virtually every case, a serious injury will prevent you from working for a period of time. That can lead to financial stress, especially if you are the only breadwinner in your household.
If your injuries heal completely, you may be able to return to work without incident. However, if you are partially or totally disabled from the accident, your earning capacity may be diminished. If this is the case, your lawyer will try to recover compensation to make up for that loss.
Other Expenses
Injuries can result in expenses most people don’t think about. For example, if you can’t drive because of your injuries, traveling to medical appointments can be expensive. You also may need childcare services while you attend medical appointments or if you’re too incapacitated to care for them like you normally do.
Loss of Quality of Life
You can’t put a dollar sign on the loss of quality of life, but it’s one of the most significant impacts a serious injury can have. Physical and psychological pain are often ongoing and debilitating, and injuries may make it impossible to do things you once enjoyed.
It’s possible to add up the monetary value of your medical bills and lost wages (and at least estimate the value of future medical care and future lost wages). However, calculating damages for pain and suffering and loss of quality of life is a lot more complicated.
When you schedule a free consultation with Stine & Associates, P.C., you’ll be given an estimate of how much your case may be worth.
Hurt in a Car Accident? Stine & Associates, P.C., Is Here for You
If you’ve been seriously hurt in a car accident, it’s easy to feel alone. You’re stuck facing piling medical bills, dealing with physical and psychological pain, and often handling increasing financial stress. Insurance companies aren’t your friend, either — their focus is more on paying as little as possible than on helping you heal.
When you have a committed personal injury attorney in your corner, you’re anything but alone. Stine & Associates, P.C. has more than 30 years of experience fighting for justice for injured people in Johnstown and the greater western and central Pennsylvania area. Call or use the online contact form for a free consultation!