Commuters must be aware of potential for a car accident, injury

As a commuter, you find yourself on the road almost every day of the week. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to and from work or school, you’re always behind the wheel.

While this is a way of life, it’s important to be aware of the potential for a car accident. Furthermore, and even more important, an accident could cause serious injury that requires both immediate and long-term treatment.

You never know what will happen if you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident. Some of these are minor fender benders that you can work out with the other party and his or her insurance company.

Conversely, there are times when serious car accident injuries come into play. Some of the most common injuries resulting from these accidents include:

• Head and back injuries. Head injuries are among the most serious, as these are known for causing long-term disability as well as death. For example, a traumatic brain injury can leave a person in a coma for an extended period of time.
• Neck and chest injuries. Just the same as the head and back, the neck and chest can also be injured in a car accident. Whiplash is a common injury, as this can occur if your vehicle is struck from behind.
• Other body parts. Any body part can be injured in a car accident, so nothing is off limits when it comes to examining yourself immediately following a crash. For instance, broken bones in the arms, legs, feet, and hands are commonplace. The same holds true for ligament damage.

Along with the physical impact of a car accident, many people find themselves dealing with emotional distress. This is more so the case in the event of a serious accident, such as one in which they are trapped and/or find themselves in need of immediate medical treatment.

As a commuter, it’s easy to get lazy. It’s easy to believe that every driver will be the same as the one before it. Not only do you need to pay attention at all times, but you have to hope that others are doing the same.

It only takes one mistake by another driver, such as someone who is texting, to cause a serious accident. If this happens to you, receive immediate medical treatment and then learn more about your legal rights.