Accidents — whether a car crash, a slip and fall, or a workplace incident — can cause a wide range of injuries, from soft-tissue damage that heals in a few weeks to fractures and trauma that affect you for years. Understanding what you’re dealing with is the first step toward getting the right treatment and knowing whether you have a legal claim worth pursuing.
Below are some of the most common injuries we see in our Staten Island and Brooklyn personal injury and workers’ compensation practice, along with what typically causes them and how they’re usually treated.
Frozen Shoulder Syndrome
A frozen shoulder can develop slowly after a car accident. Often the arm is kept still in a sling for a period of time. This pattern is one of the common accident injuries that can follow a crash.
The joint becomes inflamed and stiff. It can become nearly immobile, making everyday tasks hard. Treatment usually starts with physical therapy. It can include trigger point injections when pain limits movement and interferes with therapy. In more stubborn cases, recovery can take more than two years. It may eventually require a procedure to restore the joint’s range of motion. Learn more about frozen shoulder after a car accident.
Fractured Clavicle (Broken Collarbone)
A broken collarbone is one of the most common fractures we see in children after a car accident. A fall can also cause this injury, often when a child braces against the fall with an outstretched arm. It can also result from a direct hit to the shoulder.
Most clavicle fractures heal with a sling or a figure-of-8 splint rather than surgery. Severe or displaced fractures sometimes require more involved treatment. Learn more about fractured clavicle injuries in children.
Greenstick Fractures
Greenstick fractures are the most common type of fracture in children. They typically affect the long bones in the arms and legs. These injuries often occur when a child slips and falls. They can also happen in a twisting injury or in a car accident.
In these injuries, a bone bends further than it can bear without fully breaking. The bone may stay partially intact, which delays visible separation. Pain can be significant even when the break is incomplete. Prompt medical evaluation helps ensure proper healing.
Greenstick fractures require prompt medical attention and careful monitoring. X-rays confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment, which may include immobilization. Healing times vary, but most children regain full function with appropriate care. Learn more about greenstick fractures in children.
Back and Neck Injuries
Back and neck injuries are among the most common injuries suffered by drivers and passengers in car accidents. They range from whiplash and neck strains to herniated or bulging discs.
Even a low-speed collision can cause lasting spinal damage. Symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after the crash. That is why prompt medical evaluation matters, even if you feel okay right after. Learn more about back and neck injuries in car accidents.
Head Injuries
Head injuries aren’t limited to car accidents. They are among the most common injuries in workplace settings. They are often underestimated, especially in construction sites, warehouses, delivery driving, and nursing homes. Symptoms can surface after several days. Insurance adjusters often minimize head trauma claims early, before the full extent of the injury is understood.
Learn more about head injuries in a workers’ compensation claim. This information helps you recognize symptoms, understand claim evaluation, and document your case accurately.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured
Whatever type of injury you’re dealing with, a few things matter regardless of the specifics. Get evaluated promptly by a medical professional, and follow your treatment plan to completion. Keep records of your diagnosis, treatment, and how the injury has affected daily life and work.
Talk to a Staten Island Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries — or another injury not listed here — in a car accident, workplace incident, or another type of accident, it’s worth understanding your legal options. Visit our Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation practice area pages for more on how these cases work, or reach out directly.
Call The Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr. at 718.701.2776 (toll-free: 800.310.5520) for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
The Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr. — 1610 Richmond Road, #200, Staten Island, NY 10304