What You Should Know About Secondary Injuries From an Ohio Car Crash

Car crashes often result in a range of health issues, including secondary injuries that stem from primary ones. For instance, a bruised eye can occur after striking it against the dashboard. This could result in secondary injuries like retinal tears or reduced peripheral vision.

We discuss secondary car crash injuries below, including the common types of secondary injuries, how they happen and how victims can seek compensation.

If you are suffering from car crash injuries, our Cleveland auto accident lawyers are prepared to help you seek compensation for all the injuries and damages you suffered. We represent crash victims without any upfront cost. The initial legal consultation is also free of charge. We don’t get paid unless you win.

What Are Secondary Injuries?

Secondary injuries are caused by primary injuries, and they may not show up for days, weeks or months after the crash. Another way to think of a secondary injury is a complication – the primary injury caused changes and these changes can lead to further damage. Each secondary injury is different, but some can be quite severe, especially when they involve major organs such as the brain or kidneys. For instance, some traumatic brain injuries can impair blood flow to the brain.

Mental health conditions that develop after a physical injury could also be considered complications or secondary injuries. Sometimes another injury develops because of the way the primary injury impairs your movement. For instance, you may develop back pain because you suffered a leg injury, and you are using your lower back more than you normally would. It is important for you to communicate with your doctor about all injury symptoms, as this may help them to prevent secondary injuries.

Victims need to continue their medical treatment to help limit the possibility of secondary injuries. Types of Secondary Injuries

These are some of the most common secondary injuries victims may have after a car crash in Ohio:

• A knee injury, like a sprained or strained ligament, might cause an individual to strain his or her back when walking.
• Chronic leg pain could develop after a fracture in your leg.
• Whiplash is a primary injury that can cause neck pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion.
• Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder may develop after a life-changing injury, like an amputation or spinal cord fracture. Mental health issues can affect sleeping patterns.
• Infections are common complications that may develop after an internal organ injury or severe burn.

How Do Secondary Injuries Occur?

Secondary injuries are more likely to occur if you are using other body parts in an unusual way. For example, you may alter your body movement when you pick up something heavy due to knee or back pain. This can cause damage to your back, legs or knees because they are not meant to be used in the way you are using them.

Surgery for car crash injuries can also lead to secondary injuries. After surgery, some victims may experience excessive bleeding, fevers or infections. Others may have mood swings or deal with a lack of energy. Poorly fitted prosthetics or medical equipment could cause secondary injuries. For instance, crutches could lead to armpit pain or nerve damage.

Can Secondary Injuries Become Serious?

Secondary injuries can have a severe impact on a crash victim’s everyday life. Although there are various types of secondary injuries, brain injuries may be the most dangerous. These are some of the secondary brain injuries that can happen after an Ohio car crash:

• Severe and frequent headaches
• Vision problems
• Memory loss or short-term memory problems
• Insomnia
• Dizziness or fainting
• Moodiness, depression or personality changes
• Seizures
• Difficulty with balance or coordination
• Numbness
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling hypersensitive to touch

Can I Include Secondary Injuries in a Claim for Compensation?

If you were injured in a crash caused by another driver, you have the right to seek compensation for many of the injuries and damages you are experiencing.

Secondary injuries are a direct consequence of primary injuries, and you should be able to include these treatments in your compensation claim. 

However, some of the consequences of a primary injury are non-economic in nature, such as pain or depression. Your lawyer may recommend keeping track of your symptoms in a journal. It is vital for you to discuss new symptoms or changes in their injuries with their doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can note these changes in your medical record, which helps link them to the crash that caused your injury.

If crash victims wait to seek medical attention or report symptoms, it could be difficult to connect your injuries to the crash. Insurance companies may assume that your injuries are not serious, otherwise you would have reported them to your doctor. This is a main reason why insurers make lowball offers to crash victims.

Dealing With Secondary Injuries From an Ohio Car Crash? Call for Legal Help

Consult with our knowledgeable attorneys at Friedman Domiano and Smith regarding your legal options. We are prepared to guide you through the legal process to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

There is no upfront cost. We only get paid if we win compensation for you.