Car accidents can result in various injuries, some of which are severe enough to require surgical intervention. While modern medical technology has allowed for many injuries to be treated conservatively (i.e., without surgery), certain conditions from car crashes necessitate more invasive, surgical treatments to ensure the best chance for recovery and long-term functionality.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe car accident injuries, a skilled and experienced Ohio personal injury lawyer can provide you with aggressive legal representation to recover maximum compensation from the liable parties.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe outcomes of car accidents, potentially leading to permanent paralysis or partial loss of function. The impact during a crash can cause fractures, herniated discs, or dislocations in the spine, which can compress the spinal cord or damage nerve roots. Many spinal cord injuries require surgical procedures to stabilize the spine, decompress the spinal cord, and repair fractures.
Surgical Procedures
- Spinal Fusion Surgery: This involves fusing two or more vertebrae to prevent movement and reduce the risk of further injury.
- Laminectomy: A procedure where part of the vertebra (lamina) is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Decompression Surgery: Often done in conjunction with fusion, this surgery removes material that is compressing the spinal cord, such as a herniated disc.
Surgery after a car accident involving spinal cord injury can help stabilize the spine and improve functionality. However, the degree of recovery depends on the level and severity of the injury.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, contusions, or hemorrhages, are among the most serious personal injuries. These can occur during car accidents, especially when the head strikes a hard surface. In some cases of severe brain injury, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the brain or to repair damage caused by bleeding or swelling.
Surgical Procedures
- Craniotomy: In cases of severe brain swelling or bleeding, a surgeon may remove part of the skull to allow for swelling and relieve pressure on the brain. The skull is replaced after the swelling decreases.
- Hemorrhage Removal: If bleeding in the brain occurs, surgery is required to remove the blood clot and reduce the risk of further complications.
- Shunt Surgery: If there is a buildup of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), a shunt may be inserted to drain excess fluid and prevent further damage.
Brain injuries are unpredictable, and while surgery can help manage the damage, the long-term prognosis for a car accident victim with TBI can vary based on the location and severity of the injury. A personal injury attorney can help the TBI victims recover compensation through negotiations with the insurance company or by taking the case to trial, if necessary.
Broken Bones
Broken bones and fractures resulting from car accidents can range from mild to severe, with some injuries requiring surgical intervention. Common fractures from car accidents include broken arms, legs, collarbones, ribs, and facial bones. Open fractures, where the broken bone pierces through the skin, and fractures that are displaced, generally require surgery to properly align and stabilize the bones.
Surgical Procedures
- Internal Fixation: Plates, screws, or rods are inserted into the body to stabilize bones during healing. This procedure is often done for fractures of the long bones (like the femur) or complex fractures of the spine.
- External Fixation: In cases where the bone cannot be operated on directly due to contamination or other reasons, an external frame may be attached to the bones with pins and screws to hold them in place while they heal.
- Joint Replacement: In cases of severe fractures involving joints (such as hip or knee fractures), a partial or full joint replacement may be necessary.
Most fractures treated with surgery have good recovery rates, though the extent of recovery depends on the injury’s severity and the patient’s overall health.
Ruptured or Herniated Discs
A herniated disc or ruptured disc in the spine occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through the harder outer layer. Car accidents can cause sudden impacts, such as whiplash, that lead to this injury. While many disc herniations can be treated with physical therapy or pain management, severe cases require surgery, especially when the herniated disc compresses nerves, leading to numbness or loss of function.
Surgical Procedures
- Discectomy: The surgeon removes the damaged portion of the disc to relieve pressure on the nerves. This is often minimally invasive.
- Laminectomy: Laminectomy can also be used for disc herniation when decompression of nerves is needed.
- Spinal Fusion: In severe cases, if the disc cannot be repaired or the injury causes instability in the spine, fusion may be necessary to stabilize the area.
Recovery from disc surgery can be lengthy, but it reduces pain and improves function in most cases.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries, including torn ligaments (such as the ACL or MCL), fractures, and cartilage damage, are common in car accidents, particularly in high-impact crashes. The knee joint bears much of the force during a collision, which can result in significant damage.
Surgical Procedures
- Ligament Repair or Reconstruction: Surgeons often use grafts from the patient’s own tissues or from donors to reconstruct torn ligaments like the ACL.
- Meniscectomy or Meniscus Repair: If the cartilage (meniscus) in the knee is torn, a partial or complete removal of the damaged portion may be necessary, or the tear may be repaired.
- Knee Arthroplasty (Knee Replacement): In cases of severe cartilage loss or joint damage, knee replacement surgery may be required.
With proper surgical treatment and rehabilitation, most patients recover with improved knee function. However, some knee injuries in a serious car accident may lead to chronic issues or require further surgery later on, resulting in additional medical bills, future loss of wages, and prolonged pain and suffering.
Facial Injuries
Facial fractures, particularly involving the cheekbones, jaw, or nasal bones, are common in car accidents. In cases where the fractures are severe, surgical intervention is required to restore the facial structure, correct alignment, and improve function.
Surgical Procedures
- Jaw or Facial Bone Reconstruction: Surgeons use plates, screws, or wires to realign and stabilize the fractured bones.
- Nasal Surgery (Rhinoplasty): In cases of severe nasal fractures, surgical reconstruction may be necessary to restore the nose’s appearance and function.
- Orbital Fracture Repair: If the bones around the eye socket are damaged, surgery may be needed to restore the shape and protect the eye.
Surgery for facial and neck injuries usually provides positive medical and cosmetic results. In some cases, multiple surgical procedures may be required. The recovery process can take several months, and some functional limitations may persist.
Internal Organ Injuries
Blunt force trauma from a car accident can cause injuries to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines. These injuries can result in internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. In cases of significant organ damage, surgery is required to repair or remove the damaged organs.
Surgical Procedures
- Laparotomy: A procedure in which the abdominal cavity is opened to examine and repair internal organs. This is often done to control internal bleeding.
- Organ Repair or Removal: If an organ is severely damaged, it may be repaired or, in some cases, removed (e.g., spleen or gallbladder).
- Laparoscopic Surgery: A minimally invasive option for repairing internal injuries or controlling bleeding.
The success of an emergency surgery depends on the severity of the internal injury, but early intervention increases the likelihood of survival and recovery.
Amputations
Amputations are among the most devastating injuries resulting from car accidents. They can occur due to crush injuries, severe fractures, or burns that damage the limbs beyond repair. The loss of a limb often requires immediate surgical intervention to remove the damaged tissue and prevent further complications such as infection or gangrene.
Surgical Procedures
- Traumatic Amputation Surgery: In cases of severe limb injury, surgeons may perform a traumatic amputation to remove the limb and stabilize the injury site. Reconstructive Surgery: After an amputation, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to prepare the remaining stump for a prosthesis.
- Prosthetic Fitting: Once the stump has healed sufficiently, a prosthetic limb is fitted. This may involve further surgeries to optimize the fit and function of the prosthesis.
While the emotional and physical toll of losing a limb is significant, modern prosthetics, rehabilitation, and reconstructive surgery after a car accident can significantly improve the functionality of individuals who have undergone amputations.
Get a Top-Rated Ohio Car Accident Attorney on Your Side
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Ohio, The Henry Law Firm is here to provide the expert legal representation you deserve. With a formidable record of several multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts, including cases that others thought were hopeless, attorney Eric Henry brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to achieving the best possible results for the injured victims and their families.
His creative problem-solving skills, tough negotiation tactics, and cutting-edge use of technology to investigate cases and establish liability set him apart. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (440) 337-0083 or contact us online.
