According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. The center notes that in 2019, more than 36,000 accident victims died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. That is more than 100 people killed in crashes every day.

That same year, over 2.5 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries from motor vehicle crashes. Some of these injuries require surgery for the victim to survive and get better. This article covers the top ten surgeries a victim would likely undergo following a severe car accident.

If you or a loved one suffers injuries from a car crash, contact a Baltimore car accident lawyer immediately. An attorney will begin the process to get you compensation, thereby easing the financial burden caused by the surgical procedure.

What Surgery Do Car Accident Victims Need?

Motor vehicle collisions that aren’t fatal may result in minor, severe, or catastrophic injuries. When a person suffers a severe or catastrophic injury, they may need surgery to fix the injury site. Below are the top ten surgeries an accident victim may need.

• Discectomy

A car accident may cause back injuries, and the victim may require a discectomy. A discectomy is the surgical removal of part or all herniated vertebral discs. The surgeon removes the disc by first cutting the outer annulus fibrosus. Next, they remove the nucleus pulposus to relieve pressure on the nerve root.

Dissection is then performed to remove a ligament that runs from front to back. This gives the doctor access to the spinal canal to remove any bone spurs or disc material protruding through the ligament. A successful discectomy eliminates the risk of recurrent disc herniation.

• Brain Surgery

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are quite common among accident victims. Some TBIs do not require surgery. However, where there is a blood clot, bleeding, skull fracture, or severe pressure on the brain, the victim may need surgery. Note that brain surgery comes with several risks, so doctors only recommend it as a last resort.

• Dental Surgery

If your face or mouth hits the steering wheel or flying debris strikes them, you may need dental surgery. Accident victims need this surgery to fix broken teeth or get a dental implant. Without the procedure, you may have speech issues.

• Knee Surgery

Knee injuries are quite common in high-impact crashes that leave the knee trapped. Knee surgery may fix a torn ligament or remove or repair a torn meniscus. Sometimes, surgeons use metal and plastic parts to cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint, along with the kneecap. However, this mostly happens when the knee is completely shattered.

• Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion surgery is also known as spondylodesis. Doctors use it to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in your spine, eliminating motion between them. Spinal fusion involves techniques designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones. Most times, accident victims need spinal fusion after removing a herniated disc.

• Plastic Surgery

Motor vehicle crashes can cause excessive scarring on a victim’s face. This happens when shards of glass cut you or when you suffer a burn injury. An accident victim with excessive scarring or disfigurement needs plastic surgery to reduce or remove the scar tissue.

• Laminotomy

A person with spinal cord injury requires a laminectomy. Surgeons use this procedure to decompress the spinal canal in either the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine after an accident.

• Soft Tissue Surgery

Generally, soft tissue injuries heal with time. However, if you suffered a torn tendon, ligament, or muscle during the crash, you may need surgery. Note that like in TBIs, doctors use surgery to fix soft tissue injuries as a last resort.

• Internal Organ Surgery

Accident victims with a pierced organ require internal organ surgery. The severity of the piercing or tear determines if you will need a minimally invasive or invasive procedure. Your doctor will choose one after carrying out extensive tests.

• Vertebroplasty

High-impact crashes might result in a fracture in the vertebrae. If this happens, you will need vertebroplasty to fix the break. During the surgery, the surgeon will inject bone cement into the vertebrae’s cracks to repair the spinal fracture.

Get Assistance From Experienced Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers

At Pinder Plotkin LLC, we understand the financial burden caused by surgical procedures. As such, our attorneys work tirelessly to get the best financial compensation. With us, you can focus on getting better while we represent your interest in the claims process. So contact us today for a free case review.