Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
On this page, we’ll discuss the most common car accident injuries, how different types of injuries occur after car accidents, how a car accident injury lawyer can help seek compensation for serious injuries, and much more.
Car accident injuries affect thousands of motorists all over the country.
Injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents also take a hefty financial toll, incurring roughly $498.3 billion.
These injuries come in many types, ranging from soft tissue injuries like whiplash to arm and leg injuries.
Some of the most life-threatening injuries also include internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury (or TBI).
If you or a loved one has sustained any injuries from car crashes, you need to seek compensation from the negligent parties responsible.
You can’t do this alone.
To ensure the best possible outcome in your car accident claim, you’ll need help.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a car accident injury lawsuit today.
Our attorneys will be by your side, ensuring that you get fairly compensated for the car accident injuries you or your loved one have sustained.
Several kinds of injuries can take place following a catastrophic car accident.
Different injuries you can expect after you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident includes:
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, commonly seen in rear-end collisions.
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and difficulty moving the neck.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms to avoid long-term complications.
High-impact collisions can result in fractures or broken bones in various parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.
Signs of bone fractures include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility in the affected area.
Immediate medical evaluation is necessary to assess the extent of the injury and initiate proper treatment.
These injuries involve strains, sprains, and tears of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the injured area.
At their mildest, soft tissue injuries can be managed at home. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) can help alleviate symptoms.
You should still seek medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and management, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.
Car accidents can cause a range of head injuries, from concussions (mild traumatic brain injuries) to more severe traumatic brain injuries.
A head injury following a car accident isn’t always easy to spot.
Symptoms of head injuries can include:
If you notice any of the above, seek medical treatment as soon as you can.
Immediate medical attention can help manage symptoms before they deteriorate.
Severe trauma to the back or neck can cause spinal cord injuries, which may result in paralysis or loss of function below the site of injury.
The symptoms can vary based on the location and severity of the injury.
These may include loss of sensation, muscle weakness, or difficulty breathing.
Serious injuries like those involving the spinal cord require immediate medical treatment.
Blunt force trauma in car accidents can lead to significant internal injuries, such as internal bleeding, organ damage (e.g., liver or spleen injury), or a collapsed lung from chest injuries (pneumothorax).
These injuries may not always present immediate symptoms but can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
When symptoms do arise, they often include:
Seeking immediate medical evaluation is crucial following a car accident involving blunt force trauma.
Diagnostic imaging studies like CT scans or ultrasounds are often necessary to accurately assess the extent of internal injuries.
Early intervention is key to promptly diagnosing and treating these injuries, which can help prevent complications and support recovery.
In rare cases of vehicle fires or explosions during accidents, occupants may sustain burn injuries of varying severity.
Burn injuries can range from minor to life-threatening and often require specialized medical treatment.
Symptoms of burn injuries include pain, redness, blistering, and charred skin.
It’s crucial to seek immediate emergency medical assistance for prompt burn care and management.
Quick intervention is essential to prevent infection, manage pain, and facilitate healing.
If you or someone else experiences burn injuries in a car accident involving fire or explosion, do not hesitate to seek emergency medical help to receive the necessary treatment and care.
Beyond physical discomfort, your injuries can impact your life in several ways.
Some of the long-term effects can include:
Car accident injuries often cause significant pain and may limit your ability to perform daily activities.
Chronic pain or mobility issues can affect your quality of life and require ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation.
The emotional impact of car accident injuries can be substantial, leading to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health challenges.
The subjective nature of these injuries means that it will be challenging to calculate emotional damages.
This is why you need experienced car accident attorneys who can factor your pain and suffering into your settlement calculation.
Medical expenses, lost wages due to inability to work, and other financial burdens can arise from car accident injuries.
These losses can be significant. For this reason, you must seek fair compensation through legal avenues to alleviate some of these financial stresses.
Some car accident injuries may require extensive or long-term medical care, including surgeries, physical therapy, or ongoing treatments.
After surgery, there are two likely outcomes.
One is a lengthy recovery process that takes you out of work.
The other is partial recovery and having to live life with a degree of disability or disfigurement.
Some injuries like severe back injuries can be debilitating.
These injuries can lead to disability, permanently affecting your quality of life and your capacity to work.
Injuries resulting from car accidents can vary based on the patterns of collisions.
A head injury is likely to be the result of a high-speed collision whereas a sideswipe collision victim is likely to sustain arm and leg injuries.
Different collisions and the types of injuries they’re likely to cause includes:
Rear-end collisions are among the most common car accidents in the country, alongside head-on collisions and sideswipe crashes.
These types of collisions happen whenever a vehicle is struck from behind.
Because of inertia, drivers and passengers inside the hit vehicle are suddenly thrown forward.
This leads to neck injuries like whiplash.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that occurs due to the sudden and forceful back-and-forth motion of the neck.
The sudden movements of the neck cause strain on the muscles and ligaments.
These collisions involve the front ends of two vehicles crashing into each other and can lead to severe injuries.
Severe injuries can include:
These accidents occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape.
Occupants on the impacted side of the vehicle can sustain injuries like broken bones, head trauma (from hitting the window or door), and internal organ damage from the impact.
In rollover accidents, vehicles overturn onto their sides or roofs.
These accidents can cause various injuries, including head trauma (from impact or being struck by objects within the vehicle), spinal cord injuries (from abrupt movements and compression), and fractures due to the vehicle’s structural deformation.
These collisions occur at an angle, where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle.
Angular collisions can result in a combination of injury patterns seen in both head-on and side-impact collisions, depending on the angle and speed of impact.
Injuries may include fractures, head trauma, and internal injuries, varying based on the direction and force of impact.
Broken ribs, soft tissue injuries, and knee injuries result from these kinds of crashes.
Devastating as they are, car crash injuries aren’t the worst things that can happen following a car accident.
Vehicle accidents lead to wrongful deaths.
A wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions.
If a driver’s actions lead to a fatal collision, you as a surviving family member may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for various losses.
These losses include funeral expenses, medical bills related to the final injury or illness, lost financial support from the deceased, and the emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss of a loved one.
Navigating a wrongful death claim requires legal expertise and sensitivity.
A compassionate attorney can assist you in gathering evidence, identifying liable parties, and pursuing justice through the legal system.
If you’re pursuing legal action for the injuries you’ve sustained, you need an experienced car accident attorney.
An attorney can maximize your chances of a successful car accident claim in the following ways:
A car accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident, gathering crucial evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and accident scene photos.
This evidence is essential for building a strong case.
Experienced lawyers understand medical terminology and can work closely with healthcare providers to gather and interpret medical evidence related to your injuries.
This helps in accurately assessing the extent of damages and the impact on your life.
Determining the full extent of damages resulting from car accident injuries requires expertise.
A lawyer can assess medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to ensure fair compensation.
Dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company can be complex and intimidating.
A skilled car accident lawyer knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance adjusters to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and losses.
In cases where insurance settlements are insufficient or disputed, a car accident lawyer can represent you in court.
These experts have the litigation experience to advocate for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve through legal proceedings.
Legal proceedings involving car accidents have specific deadlines and legal requirements.
A lawyer ensures that your rights are protected throughout the process, guiding you through each step and advocating on your behalf.
Car accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries that can burden you physically, emotionally, and financially.
This is why you need to hold at-fault drivers liable for your injuries and seek compensation.
You shouldn’t seek compensation alone.
With our attorneys by your side, you can receive a fair settlement that compensates you not just for your financial losses but for any trauma you’ve experienced as a result of your accident.
If you’ve sustained extensive injuries or lost someone dear to you in a car accident, you may be eligible for a car accident claim.
Find out if you’re eligible today. Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a claim instantly.
Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
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In this case, we were able to successfully recover $20 Million for our client after they suffered a Toxic Tort Injury due to chemical exposure.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $103.8 Million for our client after they suffered a COX-2 Inhibitors Injury.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
They helped my elderly uncle receive compensation for the loss of his wife who was administered a dangerous drug. He consulted with this firm because of my personal recommendation and was very pleased with the compassion, attention to detail and response he received. Definitely recommend this firm for their 5 star service.
When I wanted to join the Xarelto class action lawsuit, I chose TorrHoerman Law from a search of a dozen or so law firm websites. I was impressed with the clarity of the information they presented. I gave them a call, and was again impressed, this time with the quality of our interactions.
TorHoerman Law is an awesome firm to represent anyone that has been involved in a case that someone has stated that it's too difficult to win. The entire firm makes you feel like you’re part of the family, Tor, Eric, Jake, Kristie, Chad, Tyler, Kathy and Steven are the best at what they do.
TorHorman Law is awesome
I can’t say enough how grateful I was to have TorHoerman Law help with my case. Jacob Plattenberger is very knowledgeable and an amazing lawyer. Jillian Pileczka was so patient and kind, helping me with questions that would come up. Even making sure my special needs were taken care of for meetings.
TorHoerman Law fights for justice with their hardworking and dedicated staff. Not only do they help their clients achieve positive outcomes, but they are also generous and important pillars of the community with their outreach and local support. Thank you THL!
Hands down one of the greatest group of people I had the pleasure of dealing with!
A very kind and professional staff.
Very positive experience. Would recommend them to anyone.
A very respectful firm.