Auto Passenger Crash Injury Lawyer

Every 16 minutes a person in the United States is injured due to a motor vehicle collision of some kind, as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. While much attention is placed on the driver of the automobile involved in the crash, passengers of these accidents receive much less recognition. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that passenger injuries are very common, especially in severe collisions. Alabama drivers need to take passenger injuries into account when handling any type of auto accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 862 total traffic fatalities in 2010, marking a 1.7 percent increase from the previous year. Due to the increases in more motorists entering the roads and highways of Alabama, especially in populated areas such as Mobile, the likelihood of a traffic accident increases tremendously. As Alabama residents slowly recognize the upsurge in drivers throughout the state, they must adjust their driving habits accordingly.

The passenger of a vehicle involved in a collision is generally never held liable, unless this person had committed an obvious act that caused some sort of distraction or contribution to the crash. While these passengers cannot be held liable for the cause of accident, they do have rights to protect for their passenger injuries. Here is where Citrin Law Firm plays an important role. We believe that the passengers in a motor vehicle crash rarely receive the representation that they deserve.

Our personal injury law firm is dedicated to representing those injured passenger, helping them to recover damages from those at-fault parties associated with the collision. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident and suffered from passenger injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and any other related suffering.

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Types of Passenger Injuries

In 2010, the NHTSA reported about 51,343 non-incapacitating passenger injuries and 16,300 incapacitating injuries due to motor vehicle collisions. Passengers involved is auto accidents are put in a tough position, they can no control over the accident or the injuries in which they may suffer. Depending on the type of accident, passengers may suffer from even more severe damages than the driver of the vehicle. For instance, in a side-impact crash, the passenger may suffer life-threatening injuries, while the driver is left unharmed.

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The following are some of the most common types of passenger injuries:

Head Injuries

Damages to the head or brain are some of the most common types of injuries associated with car accidents. While severity of injury will range significantly, any harm to the head is of serious concern. Typical injuries sustained by passengers include concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures.

Broken Bones

As the leading cause of broken bones, motor vehicle crashes send thousands of passengers to the hospital each month in the United States. When the force of the collision impact is too strong for the passenger’s bones to handle, a fracture may occur.

Traumatic Brain Injury

One of the most frightening of all passenger injuries, TBI may cause permanent or temporary loss of brain function. Passengers must be aware that many of the symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries do not appear within the first day of the accident. For this reason, all accident victims are advised to seek medical care following a crash.

Back and Neck Injuries

The most common types of injuries linked to car crashes, back and neck injuries range from strains and sprains to ruptured discs and fractured vertebrae. Whiplash refers to the jerking motion (either forward or backward) of the head which causes either temporary or chronic neck and back pain. In general, back and neck injuries are treated with rest, ice, physical therapy, medication, and in serious cases, surgery.

Spinal Cord Damage

When a crash causes a fracture or dislocation in the vertebrae, spinal cord damage typically follows. When the spinal cord tissue is pierced by the ruptured vertebrae, nerves will have difficulty sending signals. Various level of paralysis may ensue dependent upon the type of injury.

Wrongful Death

In the worst case scenario, the passenger is unable to withstand the motor vehicle collision. Unfortunately, wrongful deaths occur far too often in the U.S. and the state of Alabama. In these situations, the deceased’s family members may be able to recover compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, and other losses that they have had to endure due to the accident.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer Today

Citrin Law Firm takes pride in our more than 25 years of litigation experience. We believe that it is our responsibility to protect the rights of Alabama residents throughout the state. With this obligation to protect, we work tirelessly to seek justice for all accident victims. Our strategy is to achieve the maximum compensation possible through thorough research and investigation to build a successful case.

If you or a loved one has suffered from any passenger injuries, Citrin Law Firm is prepared to take on your case today. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys will get to know you and your case, allowing for you to stop worry about legalities and focus on recovery.

Learn more today by completing a Free Case Review above.