Throughout the world, countless accidents happen regularly. These unfortunate events include work-related accidents, car crashes, and various other mishaps. What’s worse is that some of these incidents could lead to serious injuries.
Severe injuries often result in more alarming consequences. Apart from fractures and wounds, the victim might also suffer from long-term effects that are more difficult to detect and take time to heal. In addition to physical problems, an individual who has been involved in a major accident may experience emotional, psychological, and cognitive challenges.
Most Common Types Of Personal Injuries
Perhaps the most common type of accident is road traffic crashes. Thousands of accidents occur on the road on a regular basis. That’s why road users must develop defensive driving habits to avoid auto accidents.
In the same vein, construction workers and contact sports athletes must exercise caution to avoid these common injuries:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Muscle tears
- Fractures
- Wounds, cuts, and lacerations
- Burns
- Back and neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Knee injuries
The list is not exhaustive and these are other types of injuries that a sufferer will experience in an accident. Depending on the severity of the damage, a person may stay in a medical facility for a few days or weeks. Physical rehabilitation to restore basic motor functions may also be required.
Long-Term Effects Of Personal Injuries
Besides its immediate impact, a serious injury can turn into a debilitating condition that patients will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. The social, physical, and psychological effects of severe injuries can put a person’s life at a standstill.
- Physical Impairment
Because of either temporary or permanent physical deficiencies, a person’s capacity to perform basic and routine functions may be affected. Unable to bend, sit, stand, and walk, a patient will likely be dependent on a caregiver for simple things such as bathing, eating, driving a car, or paying bills and going to the grocery store.
If you don’t have a family member to take care of you, you’d need to hire and pay for a caregiver. Being injured, you’d need to miss work to recuperate. Your company and workers’ compensation insurance might cover the expenses of your medical bills and rehabilitation costs.
However, if you’re not benefitting from any of these insurance coverages, and plan to sue your employer or any third party for neglect, consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. You can get in touch with Sadaka Law and other law firms near you for professional assistance.
- Cognitive Issues
Apart from physical problems, accident survivors may also form sensory and cognitive impairments that impact the way their brain processes various stimuli. For instance, it can be difficult for them to think, speak, and comprehend the messages of other people.
This can likewise limit the things that an individual can do. A person who can’t concentrate may have difficulties taking on mentally challenging tasks. Moreover, they won’t be allowed to drive even if they don’t have motor issues.
Sensory Problems
It’s even worse if an individual loses their sense of sight or hearing because of the accident. While the individual may not lose their job right away, they may be transferred to another position, undergo specific training, and face a drastic pay cut because of these injuries.
- Emotional Issues
A person who can’t communicate may find it difficult to share their feelings, leading to frustration and disappointments. An individual who has suffered from serious injuries may also experience grief, lack of motivation, loss of appetite, severe stress, anger, and other emotional problems.
These emotional disturbances are common and often highly difficult to spot right away. Unless they seek professional help, accident survivors may find themselves on an emotional roller coaster that they can’t seem to overcome.
- Psychological Impact
Along with emotional issues, a severely injured individual may develop psychological issues, often developing into anxiety and depression. Others may suffer from insomnia and sleep disorders, making them more irritable and prone to mood swings.
In worse cases, a person may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), similar to soldiers who’ve been deployed in combat missions. A person suffering from this disorder will have a wide range of symptoms that may include violent fits, shock, trust issues, and irrational fear. This individual will often have nightmares and flashbacks about the incident.
Wrap Up
Persons who get involved in severe accidents may suffer from physical, emotional, and psychological deficiencies, as discussed above. While physical problems are obvious, there’s no telling when the emotional and psychological issues will develop in severely injured persons.
Because they impede a person’s ability to function properly and lead to other debilitating conditions, caregivers and family members shouldn’t hesitate to seek professional help as soon as possible.