Understanding Personal Injury Law

Personal Injuries Associated With Drunk Driving And Why You Need A DUI Accident Lawyer When Involved In One

14 January 2022

Kristina Walker

Although ride-sharing platforms continue playing a significant role in decreasing alcohol-related auto accidents and deaths, more than 25% of all traffic-related fatalities are still directly caused by alcohol impairment. This overwhelming statistic shows how detrimental operating an automobile while under the influence of mind-altering substances like alcohol is. Besides, driving under the influence also inflicts life-changing injuries and disabilities on the people involved. Some of the injuries commonly associated with drunk driving are outlined below:

1.   Spine injuries

One of the most potentially life-threatening and debilitating injuries you can sustain from a car accident is a spine injury. This condition is often caused by trauma inflicted on the lumbar spine, thoracic spine, or cervical spine, consequently severing or damaging the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries are often accompanied by paralysis. Some of the signs you have suffered this type of damage include extreme pressure on the neck and back pain.

2.   Broken bones

Many types of bones can break in a car accident. The most commonly affected are the fibula, pelvic bone, clavicle, cranial, sternum, and facial bones. You can tell you have broken bones from visible symptoms like bone poking through the skin, deformed appearance, and swelling and inflammation. The reason bones fracture in crashes is that the people involved are subjected to stronger forces that smash them against components like dashboards or send them flying through the windshield.

3.   Traumatic brain injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 166 Americans succumbed to injuries related to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) daily in 2019. And car crashes related to drunk driving are among the most notorious causes of TBIs. In a nutshell, a TBI refers to a situation where head trauma injures an individual's brain. Victims of traumatic brain injuries often experience cognitive problems like amnesia or behavioral disorders such as aggression, persistent word repetition, and irritability.

4.   Psychological injuries

A car crash is likely to lead to psychological issues like extreme anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), crippling phobias, and depression. Depending on the crash's severity and the victim involved, such issues can last from a couple of weeks to several years. Either way, the psychological effects that arise from an auto accident are not to be ignored since they have the potential of derailing normal living and preventing the victim from fully contributing to society.

Need Professional Help? Get Representation From A Personal Injury Lawyer       

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury caused by drunk driving, you should seek compensation. But, to ensure you get what you deserve, seek representation from a skilled and reputable DUI accident attorney. That way, you have someone with experience and knowledge of court processes in your corner who will ensure your compensation is adequate and timely to help you through as you recover.

Schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your case. 

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