When you are driving in New Orleans where massive road projects and maintenance projects have been going on since 2010, the risk of figuring in an accident is relatively high. Partially closed roads, open manholes, and various road signs can factor in road safety and driving behavior of motorists. Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver whose car is hit by another car, the result can be disastrous both to your health and finances.
Car accidents are among the most common causes of death and injury in the United States. As revealed by the 2012 U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Report System, 10 in 100,000 people died in car crashes based on the latest analysis of the accident trend for that year. In the same year, 2.36 million people sustained injuries due to motor vehicle crashes.
There are many injuries that you can obtain from a car accident, some of which can be life-threatening. One example is traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to BrainLine.org, 1.7 million people sustain a TBI in the United States each year. A significant percentage of that is associated with the aftereffect of road traffic collisions.
The severity of TBI is normally determined by the intensity of impact and the amount of resistance to forces created during a collision. A vehicle moving at 120 km/h and accelerating at 1.67 m/s2 can produce a 55 KN force. That’s enough power to run a motorboat engine and is equivalent to the lifting force of a tractor. Imagine the fragile human brain being subjected to that amount of force—the damage can be massive.
The impact of such force to the brain can be strong, resulting in major trauma. An article for All-About-Car-Accidents.com reveals that TBI can alter and diminish a person’s state of consciousness. It can impair cognitive abilities and physical functioning, which will require long-term therapy to reverse. Some effects of TBI, however, are irreversible.
When you or a family member has suffered TBI after getting involved in a car accident that is another party’s fault, consider contacting a New Orleans auto accident lawyer to secure guidance on filing a claim. Taking such a serious matter to court can greatly help in your recovery since the compensation can help finance the treatment and provide for your needs when the injury prevents you from making a living.
A car accident lawyer in New Orleans working for experienced firms like Lambert Zainey can defend your right and fight for just compensation for the personal injury you’ve sustained. You will need a lawyer’s skills and knowledge to represent you in court for a surefire victory.
(Source: Brain Injuries After a Car Accident, All-About-Car-Accidents.com)