An aortic dissection is a very serious condition that can prove fatal. Closely associated with the impact of car accidents, aortic dissections are often caused when airbags deploy or when accident victims hit the dash or forward seat during an accident. If you or your loved ones have questions about aortic dissections and car accidents or have suffered this type of injury, consider consulting with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney at Hall & Lampros, LLP, by calling (404) 876-8100.
Aortic Dissections
According to the Mayo Clinic, aortic dissections refer to a serious health condition in which the inner layer of the aorta—the body’s main artery—is torn. In the process, blood gushes out through the tear and causes the aorta’s inner and middle layers to dissect (or split). If the blood makes its way past the outside wall of the aorta, the aortic dissection can be fatal. Signs that the injury a person has sustained may be an aortic dissection include:
- Severe pain in the upper back or chest—many liken this pain to a ripping or tearing sensation that spreads out from the chest to the neck or down through the back
- Severe abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Symptoms that mimic a stroke, which can include problems speaking, weakness or even paralysis in one side of the body, or a sudden vision problem
- Loss of consciousness
- A weaker pulse on one side of the body than the other
- A sudden problem walking
- Serious pain in one leg
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms post-accident, take the matter seriously and seek the medical attention you need. Aortic dissections and car accidents are too closely linked to ignore.
Losses a Victim Can Experience
The physical, financial, and psychological losses associated with aortic dissections that are caused by car accidents are often immense.
Medical Bills – The medical costs that a person experiences in relation to an aortic dissection begin with emergency care and can swiftly escalate. Surgery and hospitalizations are likely with these injuries, and if complications occur, such as organ damage or stroke, the patient can expect considerable ongoing expenses.
Lost Income – While an accident victim is recovering from an injury as serious as an aortic dissection, he or she will also very likely face a significant decrease in earnings related to being unable to work. If an injury stops a victim from returning to work or curtails his or her career trajectory, a loss in earning potential must also be considered. Additionally, if the career that a person has worked hard to achieve suddenly ends due to a car accident, that change can also create serious emotional stress.
Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering – Many car accident victims fail to recognize the significance of the pain and suffering they endure. Being injured in a violent car accident can be terrifying, and the fact the injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence can amplify the emotional ramifications.
The dedicated Atlanta car accident attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, have the experience and legal insight to help ensure that each category of loss a client experiences is clearly represented in his or her car accident claim.
Negligence of the Other Driver
Far too many car accidents are caused by driver negligence. The nature of aortic dissection injuries tends to indicate the seriousness of that negligence, which can take one or more of several life-threatening forms.
Distraction – Motorists who have little concern for the safety of themselves or others often allow themselves to become distracted behind the wheel and are, therefore, considered exceptionally dangerous drivers who often cause exceptionally dangerous accidents. Distractions include any number of things that can draw the driver’s attention away from the job of driving.
Impairment – Drunk drivers lack impulse control, have difficulty thinking logically, and suffer physical, cognitive, and even sensory impairments. Therefore, drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs often create dangerous situations while they are attempting to drive normally.
Excess Speed – When motorists speed excessively, they double the risk involved by giving themselves less time to react to imminent dangers on the road and to stop quickly when needed. Since a faster vehicle needs more space to come to a complete stop, any ensuing accidents are much more likely to be deadly.
Exhaustion – Drowsy drivers are receiving more attention in recent years, as we come to terms with exactly how dangerous they can be. The impairments caused by too little sleep can rival those experienced by drunk drivers.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today
Aortic dissections and car accidents often go together, and if you have been injured in this way, the distinguished Atlanta car accident attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, understand the gravity of your situation and are committed to assertively advocating for the compensation you are entitled to receive. Consider calling (404) 876-8100 today to schedule a consultation.
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