Did you know that the average winter in the Chicagoland area brings nearly 40 inches of snow? Snow season can be great for having hot chocolate by a fireplace. But snow season also brings accidents and dangers to pedestrians, drivers, and more. Even simple activities like walking to your home or taking a quick trip to the grocery store can result in slips, falls, collisions from ice-any one of which might result in a personal injury.
The attorneys at Trent Law Firm help us break down five of the most common personal injury accidents during the winter:
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Winter weather causes icy and slick road conditions; ice and snowstorms can make vehicles more difficult to control as well as creating white-out conditions. Each year in the US, almost 200,000 people are injured in winter weather related vehicle accidents, and close to 2000 are killed, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Wintertime accidents can also lead to massive pile-ups on highways during icy conditions.
Some common injuries in a car accident include:
Soft tissue injuries
These injuries-bruising, sprains, strains, or damages to muscles-if severe can last and inhibit full-functioning.
Fractures and broken bones
The impact of a vehicle collision may cause broken legs, ribs, arms, ankles, or wrists, and sometimes require surgery.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries can occur when blood vessels in the body are damaged by the force of an impact. This may lead to internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
Concussions
Concussions during a collision occur as a result of brain tissue colliding with the interior of the cranial cavity. A person may have thinking or memory issues after a concussion. Concussions are classified as traumatic brain injuries, but are oftentimes considered "mild" traumatic brain injuries as they are typically not life-threatening.
Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect brain function. Effects can be temporary or long-term, and if they are severe, a person may have a lifelong disability.
Spinal cord and nervous system injuries
The impact of a car crash can damage the spinal cord, which may lead to partial or total paralysis. Injuries to the spinal cord or central nervous system are serious, often permanent, and may be life-threatening.
Limb loss and amputation
During a collision, limbs can be severely damaged and may need amputation, or may even be severed during the collision, resulting in permanent disability.
2. Slip and fall on Ice or Snow
Injuries that result from a slip or fall on ice or snow range from mild to severe. Some of the most common injuries from a slip and fall on ice or snow include bruises, head injuries, ankle strains and twists, ligament strains, broken bones, back injuries, or spinal cord injuries.
Slip and fall injuries may result from pavement poorly cleared or not cleared at all of ice and snow, slippery or icy stairs, and dangerous conditions due to ice, sleet, or snow near or on properties.
3. Winter Sports Injuries
Sports related injuries are not limited to professional athletes. Any person playing a winter sport such as skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, or hockey can find themselves injured. They may be a result of engaging in the sport. But at times, they may come from poorly maintained equipment or facilities.
Injuries such as dislocated shoulders or elbows, knee injuries, sprains or fractures are not uncommon during winter sports. Less common but extremely serious are potential brain injuries, which can result from a fall or a collision with another person or object. Slow brain bleeds are particularly dangerous, as their symptoms may not be evident for some time.
4. Falling Objects
Falling objects are common during heavy rain and winter storms. Sometimes piles of snow can accumulate on roofs and fall into the ground putting someone walking by in danger. Snow and ice storms can also make trees fall unexpectedly onto pedestrians. Many of these types of scenarios are most likely to cause a brain injury.
Some of the most common types of actionable brain injuries include hematomas and contusions. A hematoma is a blood clot within the brain or on its surface, and a contusion is bruising of brain tissue. Other types of brain injuries can include hemorrhages, diffuse injuries, ischemia, or skull fractures. More minor brain injuries, such as concussions, can be used as supporting evidence in personal injury matters.
5. Back and Neck Injuries
Back and neck injuries can happen in a variety of scenarios. This can come from overexertion from shoveling in the workplace or at home. Injuries to the back and neck are also exceedingly common in cases of slipping and falling.
It is important to pay attention to these types of injuries especially when: they won't go away, you feel numbness, or you have trouble controlling your bladder.
Why you should file for a personal injury?
The procedure for making a personal injury claim can seem overwhelming at times. However, making a claim can help recover medical costs. A single trip to the emergency room can cost thousands of dollars. And a personal injury claim can help you recover for those damages.
If, as a result of your injury, you miss work, lose wages, and have difficulty paying for medical care, remember: You are not alone and needn't go through the personal injury claim by yourself. An experienced personal injury attorney will take action with the goal of compensating you for the losses you've incurred due to another person or entity's negligence.
