If you’ve ever experienced the chaos of a car crash, you’ll remember the amount of debris all over the scene. Much of this debris comes from a broken windshield, busted door glass, or shattered rear glass. This glass is very sharp, and can severely harm the driver and passengers of the vehicle. Moreover, the glass might fly, injuring pedestrians, bicyclists, and even other motorists nearby.
If you have been hurt due to broken glass, you may be looking for broken glass injury attorneys in Merrillville. Look no further than our team of car accident attorneys at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. We are all too familiar with all the pain and suffering that comes from broken glass injuries and car accidents. Call us today at 219-227-4993, fill out this online form, or message through our LiveChat feature to connect immediately.
Types of Broken Glass Injuries
A car wreck can cause different kinds of injuries. Many of these injuries are caused by broken glass. If you have suffered a broken glass injury due to someone else’s recklessness, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Glass in Skin and Eyes
After a major collision, broken pieces of glass can become embedded in the skin and stuck in a car accident victim’s eyes. Of course, this type of injury is very painful, and may cause further injury or loss of vision if not treated by a medical professional.
Cuts
High speed impact with a windshield, side window, or rear window during a car crash can result in lacerations from broken glass shards. Cuts from broken glass are one of the most common car accident injuries. Cuts may range in severity, depending on the depth and size.
A small cut may only require first aid. A slightly deeper cut may require stitches and leave a small scar. But a more severe cut, that reaches through the skin and into the muscle fibres, will require more medical intervention. This intervention may include multiple surgeries, rounds of physical therapy, and immense scarring or nerve damage.
Any one of these can lead to a strain on your life, and hefty medical bills. A laceration car accident injury lawyer will be able to help you seek compensation for those medical costs. Connect with one of our knowledgeable legal representatives 24/7, whenever you need us most.
Severed Arteries
When glass cuts in the wrong place, it may sever an artery. Severed arteries will cause blood to spurt out of the body quickly. As one of the worst broken glass injuries, this can lead to massive blood loss, further complications, and sometimes death.
Severed Limbs
If a wreck occurs at high speeds, shards of glass may fly through the air with great force. When this happens, the glass can sever arms, legs, and fingers. In rare cases, these shards may even cause decapitation. These catastrophic injuries may lead to a loss of life in this emergency situation. If the victim does survive, most likely they will need to adjust their lifestyle after the crash.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Windshields are not thin pieces of glass. In fact, they are two solid pieces of glass laid with a layer of laminate in between. When a person breaks through a windshield, they usually sustain significant and life-altering injuries.
So, while not an injury caused by broken glass, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is worth noting when it comes to broken windshields in a car wreck. If a vehicle occupant is not wearing their seatbelt (or their seatbelt mechanism is faulty), their head may hit the windshield with such force that it breaks. When a head sustains that intense of an injury, it can lead to brain bleeds, skull fractures, and death.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries may also result from being thrown into a windshield. They may also occur if a flying piece of glass severs part of the neck. Spinal cord injuries lead to a lifetime of difficulties, from reconstructive surgeries to loss of feeling below the injured area. A victim may completely lose the use of their legs, feet, arms, and hands. They may even require round the clock care for the rest of their life.
Shock
When a car accident victim loses a lot of blood, they may go into shock. Shock occurs when the body is not receiving enough blood flow. Internal organs can quickly become damaged, and the individual is in a lot of pain. This condition requires immediate medical attention. If the victim does not receive care, they may pass away.
Death
Ultimately, broken glass in a car accident may lead to life-threatening situations. If the car accident was caused by the negligence of another party, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death suit. In cases of wrongful death, the family may be able to receive compensation for the loss of their loved one’s companionship, or any financial contributions he or she may have made for the family in the future.
Times like these are so difficult for families who have lost someone special. The most valuable non-legal service our attorneys can offer is to take the burden of a case off of your shoulders. Then, you and your family can focus on healing, and looking ahead to the future.
Effects of Broken Glass Injuries
Any broken glass injury, whether small or life-altering, causes a shift in a victim’s life. Working with the Merrillville car accident attorneys at Lerner and Rowe may help you win some compensation for these challenges.
Short Term Care
More minor injuries will need short term care. But sometimes, a minor injury can turn out to be severe after the dust settles. Or, that small cut may get infected, and lead to further complications. Be sure to save any doctor’s notes and bills you may receive, and keep a journal detailing the symptoms you experience. Present these to your personal injury attorney if you decide to file a lawsuit.
Surgery
You may need surgery to fix any damage that may have happened below the surface. These surgeries may cost tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the injury. Many people do not have this amount in their savings in case of emergencies. Seeking financial compensation may offset these costs.
Disfigurement
Broken glass in a car accident may lead to significant scarring and disfigurement. The victim may opt for surgery to correct what they can. Unfortunately, much of this scarring may turn out to be permanent, especially if the scars are not treated properly. This not only leads to physical pain, but also psychological trauma.
Psychological Trauma
Anyone that goes through a car accident knows that the situation can leave a psychological scar, as well as physical. Some people may suffer severe anxiety when getting behind the wheel again, known as post-accident vehophobia. Others may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Counseling and medication may offer relief to these victims.
Loss of a Normal Life
In cases of severe bleeding, lacerations, TBI, or other injuries, the victim may lose the ability to lead their normal life. A coma may keep them bedridden for years. The loss of a leg may lead to an inability to work. The severed spinal cord may require a wheelchair and at-home nursing care for the rest of their life.
Hurt Due to Broken Glass? Do This Next.
If you have suffered an injury from broken glass, talk with our Merrillville car accident attorneys. After connecting with you and determining the strength of your case, we will begin to look into who’s negligent actions caused your wreck.
After collecting and analyzing evidence, it may be determined that the other driver was the cause of your injuries. The company that made your vehicle may also be at fault if their design was faulty. If the glass was made incorrectly, the manufacturer may be held liable. It may even be the fault of a mechanic or auto glass specialist.
Once our personal injury lawyers determine who was responsible for your injuries, we can then begin to draft a demand letter for an amount of compensation from the insurance company.
You can receive financial compensation for many things, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Surgery costs
- Physical therapy expenses
- Emergency medical attention
- Lost wages, present and future
- Loss of a loved one
- Damage to property
- Loss of reputation
- Any other related costs that may affect you now and in the future
You can also receive compensation that aims to punish the responsible party for their reckless actions, called punitive damages. A laceration car accident injury lawyer will be able to look at your case, determine the appropriate amount of compensation, and fight to win it for you and your family.
Find Broken Glass Injury Attorneys in Merrillville
Our attorneys are easy to find. Just call 219-227-4993 or message on LiveChat to be connected with a legal representative any time of the day or night, every day of the year. Or, fill out this online form.
At Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, our legal team has earned thousands of five star reviews, and are always ready to take on the most difficult of cases. So, reach out today for a free consultation to learn how we can assist you.