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Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Some drivers and passengers who are involved in auto accidents are fortunate enough to walk away without sustaining any injuries, while others’ lives can be changed completely in a fraction of a second at high speed. Auto accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and even paralysis, and here are some of the most common:

  • Cuts and scrapes – These are very common in auto accidents and usually heal within days, while some may damage layers of the skin and require medical attention and greater lengths of time to heal.
  • Broken bones – Auto accidents are among the most common causes of broken bones, and while many breaks and fractures can heal properly and fully, those which are more serious may require corrective or reconstructive surgery.
  • Soft tissue injuries – These involve damage to a tendon, muscle, or ligament and may also involve strains or sprains in particular areas of the body. Whiplash may be classified as a soft tissue injury in some cases.
  • Neck injuries – These include whiplash, herniated discs, and pinched nerves (cervical radiculopathy).
  • Leg/knee injuries – Unfortunately, some of these injuries can be quite painful, and common knee injuries in auto accidents include dislocation, ruptured tendons, PCL/ACL swelling or tears, and hyperextension of ligaments, while common leg injuries occur at the ankle, thigh, or hip.
  • Back/spinal injuries – These can be severe and result in lifelong debilitations and even paralysis. Less-serious back injuries include sprains in the thoracic or lumbar spine and herniated discs, while severe spinal injuries may result in partial or total paralysis.
  • Brain/head injuries – These are sometimes difficult to diagnose and include both concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) of varying levels of severity. Common TBI symptoms include fatigue/drowsiness, headaches, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, mood changes, trouble concentrating, and sensory problems.
  • Internal organ injuries – These are often caused by blunt force trauma in an accident and include ruptured spleens, internal bleeding, pneumothorax (punctured lung due to a broken rib), and abdominal aorta aneurysms.
  • Psychological injuries – Not all injuries sustained in auto accidents are physical, as many victims can suffer from anxiety and even PTSD for significant lengths of time after an accident. These accident-victims may be eligible for compensation for emotional distress in addition to physical injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.

In addition, here are some injuries that are particularly common in rear-end accidents:

  • Whiplash – Whiplash refers to neck injuries which are caused by sudden and often violent jolts which force the body to move faster than the head in a “whipping” motion. These injuries occur primarily in auto accidents, but also in sporting events and on rollercoasters.
  • Back injuries – Back injuries in rear-end accidents can include muscle sprains and strains, muscle ischemia, and herniated disks, which can be debilitating and require surgical treatment or steroid injections. Spinal cord injuries are also serious, as they may result in paralysis below the point of injury in severe cases.
  • Facial injuries – These are common in low-speed accidents, as the airbag typically does not deploy at less than twenty miles per hour and there is a risk of the driver’s head striking the steering wheel, which can result in broken bones or damage to the teeth or eyes.
  • Arm/wrist/hand injuries – Injuries in the hand, arm, or wrist can be caused by deployed airbags, which can also wedge an occupant’s hand or arm between seats or bend the fingers backward upon deployment. These injuries can be painful and may result in debilitations which last for weeks or months.

The first step to holding a person or entity legally liable for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages after an accident is identifying who was indeed responsible for the accident, and in some cases this can be difficult to determine. The liable party is often another driver, but it can also be auto manufacturers, government agencies, or other business entities depending on the circumstances of the accident. In any case, our attorneys are here for you every step of the way to identify the at-fault party and ensure that you receive full compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another’s negligence, you need a knowledgeable injury lawyer in Chicago. Contact Mike Agruss Law today for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based personal injury law firm, and helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will file your claim and take care of the insurance company, medical bills, property damage, and lost income. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, our personal injury lawyers are not paid attorney fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

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