Have you ever thought about how safe a car is and your safety as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle? It might have crossed your mind, but you didn’t give it much thought. Ridesharing has become more popular since apps like Uber and Lyft make it easy for you to get around.
Most people think it’s not possible to be involved in a rideshare accident since they are not the ones behind the wheel. However, this isn’t always the case. As Lyft and Uber continue to grow, so do the number of rideshare accidents. If you are involved in a rideshare accident, choosing a rideshare accident attorney should be number one on your to-do list.
Some common causes of rideshare accidents include distracted driving, disobeying traffic signs and signals, etc.
This article will educate you better on the common injuries you or anyone can sustain in a rideshare accident. These injuries can incur expensive medical bills, permanent or temporary disabilities, or time away from work.
Common Injuries You Could Sustain in Rideshare Accidents
Below are a few injuries you can sustain in rideshare accidents.
Whiplash and Neck Injury
Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury. It occurs when your neck and head suddenly jerk forward and then snap back. These injuries are the most common injuries sustained in rideshare accidents.
The jerking motion can cause severe neck pain, stiffness, chronic pain, headaches, and possibly long-term discomfort if you don’t receive immediate treatment. This injury is frequent in rear-end collisions, the most common accident in rideshare vehicles.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Head injuries are also common injuries you can sustain in rideshare accidents. It mostly happens when the passenger is not wearing a seatbelt. If your head strikes the dashboard, window, seat, or any solid surface close to you. The injuries are from mild to severe concussions and TBIs (traumatic brain injuries).
Traumatic brain injuries can result in the following;
- Paralysis
- Memory loss
- Cognitive impairments
- Seizures
- Lifelong disability
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
The spinal cord connects your brain and the rest of your body. Rideshare accidents can lead to spinal cord injury, and it often results in permanent paralysis, loss of sensation, and other severe health issues.
Spinal cord injuries can affect your life. This injury differs in severity based on the area where the damage occurs on your spinal cord and whether your spinal cord is partially or completely damaged. So, if you are a victim of a rideshare accident, be sure to seek legal and medical help.
Burns
In rideshare crashes, you can risk sustaining burns. Burns can cause severe pain and discomfort; when they are at their worst, they can damage your tissues. Most burns require surgery, and they could result in disfigurement, restricted movement, and scarring. Also, inhaling the smoke from a fire after a rideshare accident can damage your lungs.
Joint Damage and Broken Bones
The impact of a rideshare accident can exert a strong force to break bones in any part of your body. Joints like hips, knees, shoulders, ankles, and wrists are all prone to injury in rideshare accidents.
Ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues in your body can also be affected. Damage to joints can cause incapacitation and severe pain.
