A car accident can wreck more than just your vehicle—it can wreck your life. One second, you’re driving down a quiet street in your neighborhood, thinking about your next stop. The next, you’re staring at crumpled metal, hearing sirens, and feeling pain that wasn’t there a moment ago.
This is where the real nightmare begins. Medical bills start piling up. You’re missing work and not getting your lost wages paid. The insurance company is already giving you the runaround. You think: How am I going to get through this?
At Horn Wright, LLP, our car accident lawyers have helped New Yorkers like you after a car crash. We know what you’re facing, and we know how to fight for what you deserve.
Car Accidents Leave Thousands Injured—Are You One of Them?
New York is a place of constant movement, but that comes with nonstop car crashes. Whether it’s a reckless driver speeding or a distracted motorist blowing through an intersection, accidents happen every single day. Our personal injury attorneys have seen these accidents leave victims with serious injuries, medical bills, and months of recovery.
Here are the most common injuries we see after a car crash:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries – That sudden jolt? It can tear muscles and ligaments in your neck and back, leaving you with chronic pain and stiffness.
- Broken bones and fractures – Arms, legs, ribs—you name it, car crashes break it. Some fractures even require surgery or months of physical therapy.
- Severe brain injuries: A serious hit to the head can cause memory loss, confusion, dizziness, and even permanent cognitive issues.
- Spinal cord injuries: These can be life-changing—from chronic pain to partial or complete paralysis.
- Internal organ damage: You may not see it, but internal bleeding and organ damage can be deadly if not treated immediately. Most often it requires undergoing an MRI to fully diagnose.
- Emotional trauma: The physical injuries heal, but the mental scars can last forever.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries: More Than Just a Stiff Neck
That quick, violent motion of your head whipping back and forth? It can tear muscles, damage nerves, and leave you in serious pain for months. Worse? Symptoms might not even show up for days—and insurance companies love to use that against you.
Sneaky Symptoms—Don’t Ignore These Signs
Whiplash isn’t always immediate. Watch out for:
- Stiffness and pain: Can make turning your head a nightmare.
- Headaches: Usually start at the base of your skull.
- Dizziness and nausea: A sign that your brain took a hit too.
- Tingling in your arms: Could mean nerve damage.
Insurance Companies Hate Whiplash Claims—Here’s Why
Because they can’t “see” your injury on an X-ray, insurance companies love to lowball or deny whiplash claims. They’ll say you’re faking it or blame it on an old injury. That’s why you need strong medical evidence and an experienced car crash lawyer who knows how to fight back.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: The “Invisible” Catastrophe That Could Destroy Your Life
Head injuries aren’t always obvious. You might walk away from a crash thinking you just have a headache, only to start experiencing memory loss, mood swings, or dizziness days later. That’s the danger of traumatic brain injuries—they can be silent at first but devastating in the long run.
Even a mild concussion can cause long-term problems, including:
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Depression, anxiety, or sudden mood swings
More severe head injuries can lead to permanent brain damage, loss of motor function, and even personality changes. The worst part? Many people don’t realize they have a brain injury until weeks or months after the accident.
Why Doctors Miss Brain Injuries—And How That Hurts Your Case
Many brain injuries don’t show up on standard CT scans or MRIs right away. If you go to the hospital and your scan comes back normal, doctors might send you home even if your brain is swelling or bleeding. This is why so many brain injuries go undiagnosed or are brushed off as minor concussions.
If you hit your head in a crash or even suffered a violent jolt without hitting anything, you should:
- See a neurologist or brain injury specialist
- Keep a journal of symptoms
- Get follow-up scans if symptoms get worse
Insurance companies will try to downplay your brain injury, saying you’re fine because your first scan was normal. Don’t fall for it. Brain injuries are serious, and you deserve full compensation.
Our personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, fight aggressively to make sure you get every penny you’re owed after suffering a brain injury.
Spinal Cord Injuries: When a Car Crash Steals Your Mobility
Your spine is one of the most delicate and vital parts of your body. When it’s damaged, everything changes. Even a minor spinal injury can cause crippling pain, limited mobility, or permanent nerve damage. A severe spinal cord injury can lead to:
- Partial or complete paralysis – Loss of function below the injury site.
- Chronic pain and nerve damage – Even if you’re not paralyzed, nerve pain can be unbearable.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control – Spinal injuries can disrupt bodily functions.
- The need for lifelong care – Many spinal injury victims require round-the-clock medical assistance.
Rehabilitation Is Possible—But It Comes at a High Cost
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, you’re looking at a long, expensive road to recovery. Treatment often includes:
- Surgery: To stabilize the spine or relieve pressure on nerves. One of the most common surgeries for neck injuries after a car crash is an anterior cervical fusion.
- Physical therapy: Intensive rehabilitation to regain strength and movement.
- Medical equipment: Wheelchairs, braces, and home modifications.
The lifetime cost of a severe spinal injury can easily reach millions of dollars. During a civil lawsuit the future medical costs for these types of injuries require expert medical testimony.
Broken Bones and Fractures: Proof of Pain Isn’t Enough for Insurance Companies
Breaking a bone isn’t just about the pain—it’s about how it disrupts your entire life. Suddenly, you can’t work, drive, or even take care of yourself. And if your injury requires surgery, physical therapy, or months in a cast, the medical bills will add up fast.
Some fractures are more common than others in car accidents, including:
- Rib fractures – Caused by seat belts, airbags, or the force of impact.
- Arm and wrist fractures – Many people instinctively brace for impact, leading to broken arms or wrists.
- Leg and ankle fractures – Especially common in side-impact crashes where legs get crushed.
- Facial fractures – Caused by airbag deployment or hitting the dashboard.
Surgery, Rehab, and Bills—Can You Get Compensation for It All?
If your broken bone requires:
- Surgery – Plates, screws, or rods to stabilize the fracture.
- Physical therapy – Long-term rehab to regain strength.
- Lost wages – Time off work for recovery.
Then you deserve compensation for all of it. The insurance company might try to argue that your fracture is minor—but if it’s affecting your ability to work and live normally, you shouldn’t settle for less than you need.
Internal Injuries: The Silent Killers Lurking After a Crash
Not all injuries are visible. Some of the deadliest injuries after a car crash happen inside your body, where you can’t see them. Internal bleeding, ruptured organs, or punctured lungs can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Symptoms of internal injuries can take hours or even days to appear. By the time you realize something’s wrong, it could be too late. Signs to watch for include:
- Severe abdominal pain or swelling – Could indicate internal bleeding.
- Dizziness, fainting, or confusion – A sign that your organs aren’t getting enough oxygen.
- Deep purple bruising – Internal bleeding can cause skin discoloration.
- Coughing up blood – Could mean lung damage or internal trauma.
Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve After a Car Accident
A car accident isn’t just a bad day—it’s a life-changing event. Your injuries could take weeks, months, or even years to heal. And in some cases, the damage is permanent.
At Horn Wright, LLP, we know what you’re going through. The stress. The pain. The frustration of dealing with insurance companies that don’t care about you. That’s why as one of the best law firms in America, we’re ready to fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
We’ve helped thousands of people just like you—now, we’re ready to help you. Contact our office today for a FREE consultation.