Injuries Often Sustained in a Train Crash
When a train crashes, even a slight collision can cause major damage, simply because of the train’s massive weight and size. Although injuries from a train accident may vary widely, some of the more common are:- Psychological damage – Besides sustaining physical injuries, train accident victims often suffer from serious psychological issues such as depression, insomnia, fear, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Victims who experience catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, an amputation, physical scarring and/or disfigurement, may become extremely vulnerable to severe depression, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
- Whiplash – When a train stops abruptly after traveling at a high rate of speed, passengers aboard and drivers of other vehicles often suffer from whiplash after an accident. This is caused by the rapid and extreme movement of the head, which can result in nerve damage in the neck and around the top of the spinal cord. Sometimes whiplash can take several days or weeks before you begin feeling symptoms, which is why you should see a doctor immediately after being involved in a train crash.
- Fractures/broken bones – Although broken bones and fractures may heal in due time, many victims often need expensive physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment, which may not be covered by insurance. The same is also true for sprained/strained ligaments or joints. Although you may have a similar injury as someone else, it does not mean you will recover in the same amount of time. You may need to file a personal injury claim with the help of a qualified lawyer who has experience handling train accidents in the Boca Raton area (by appointment only).
- Internal organ damage – Sometimes train crashes can cause passengers to get crushed, which can result in serious damage to internal organs and soft-tissues. Internal bleeding, ruptured spleens, and punctured lungs are all common examples that may result from a crush injury. If left untreated, these injuries may end up becoming deadly.
- Concussions – When the brain moves inside the skull due to a sudden jolt or blow to the head it could cause train accident victims to suffer from what is referred to as a concussion. This type of injury can range from mild to severe and could result in temporary or permanent brain damage. Serious cases could leave victims in an unconscious state, otherwise known as a coma.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Often associated with a concussion, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect the way your brain and central nervous system works for years to come. Loss of motor skills, mobility issues and memory loss are all possible after sustaining a serious TBI. Victims who suffer from this type of injury are often subjected to expensive long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Spinal cord injuries – Serious train accidents have been known to cause severe spinal cord damage, which may leave victims temporarily or permanently confined to using a wheelchair to get around. This type of injury involves damage to the spine or nerves and often comes with long-term complications that may include a significant reduction of physical strength, loss of sensation in certain body parts or the entire body, and loss of bladder control.
