After an accident, injuries may require long-term treatment, regardless of their severity. The injury may appear to be minor, but after you were checked at the emergency room, you may have learned that it was not. In this instance, you will need a seasoned personal injury attorney because your injuries have various recovery timelines, such as the ones mentioned below:
Ligaments
The ligaments connect one bone to another, and they provide stability for the joints. The ligaments prevent the body from engaging in extreme movements that may cause harm. If a ligament sprain is mild, it may require two to four weeks to heal. A moderate sprain may take between two and six months to heal. A partial tear is also a moderate injury of a ligament. This injury may take six weeks to three months to heal.
If the tear or sprain is severe, it may require surgical intervention. Then, healing time increases to six months to one year.
Tendons
Tendons connect muscles to bone. They participate in movement by transmitting muscular forces throughout the body. This is what allows it to move. When a tendon is damaged, it is known as a “strain.” Tendons do not receive a copious amount of blood, so they heal more slowly than other body parts. Therefore, when a tendon is injured, it may take five weeks to six months to heal. If the injury requires surgery, healing time increases to four months to one year.
Tendon injuries require physical therapy to complete the healing process. It is necessary to bring the tendon back to the point where it can rebuild its strength and flexibility.
Bones
Bones provide a place where ligaments and tendons can become attached. It is very common for bones to break, especially during accidents. Fractures may require six to 12 weeks to heal, but the recovery process may require a full year. Smaller bones need less time.
Physical therapy may be required to promote proper healing, decrease pain, increase strength, increase mobility and flexibility, and provide movement techniques.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe injuries that occur from accidents. These injuries are often permanent and result in the inability to walk, to move one’s upper extremities and/or may need life-long care. These injuries also cause financial and emotional struggles, so their medical bills are often astronomical. This is related to modifications that may be needed for the person’s home, rehabilitation costs and the continued treatment that these injuries require.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries are severe injuries that commonly occur during accidents. The severest injuries may result in changes in personality, memory loss and long-term cognitive impairment. The injury does not necessarily need to be particularly severe to cause serious consequences for the victim. For example, even a minor brain injury can result in long-term disruptions in the person’s ability to work or complete daily activities for his or her family. In these situations, consulting a traumatic brain injury lawyer can be essential to ensure victims receive compensation for medical treatment, lost income and long-term rehabilitation needs.
These injuries may require ongoing rehabilitation, assistance with daily tasks and continuous medical treatment. As a result, the accident and its consequences can affect the person’s immediate family members as well.
Internal Injuries
Car collisions often result in internal injuries. These are very severe injuries, and they include damage to the spleen, kidneys, lungs and liver. Internal injuries can be life-threatening, so accident victims must go to the emergency room after an accident because these injuries are not always readily apparent.
Burns
People become burned during car collisions because vehicles can catch fire. The people inside may sustain mild burns, but the most severe may require skin grafts that can lead to permanent scars. Victims may need to have extended treatment with medications, surgeries, therapy and dressings for their wounds. If they need to have skin grafts, they may need several months of follow-up care to recover.
Lacerations
Lacerations result when glass shatters and severely cuts a victim’s blood vessels, nerves or muscles. These injuries require long-term care to prevent long-term disability, infection or amputation.
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