With the fun, water adventure, and exciting city life, Fort Pierce is also an inherently dangerous place to live. Not only does Fort Pierce have a high crime rate, but the people here are also exposed to the risk of injuries and fatalities in traffic accidents. Sadly, sections of road running along with Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County are ranked among the deadliest roads on the Treasure Coast. For example, I-95 is one of the most dangerous roads, with one out of every five traffic deaths reported. Other deadly roads include Okeechobee road and Port St. Lucie Boulevard.
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Fatal Car Accidents Statistics for Fort Pierce, Florida
Here’s a quick overview of the fatal car accident statistics for Fort Pierce, Florida:
- In 2015 there were ten fatal accidents while seven occurred in 2017
- In 2015 twelve vehicles were involved in fatal accidents, and nine were involved in 2017 fatal accidents
- In 2017 two out of seven fatal car accident occurred because of drunk driving
- In 2015, nearly fifteen people lost their lives in fatal crashes, while sixteen people died in crashes in 2017
- Seven pedestrians were involved in fatal accidents in 2015
- Approximately four pedestrians were involved in fatal accidents in 2017
Those lucky enough to survive these accidents were severely injured and hospitalized for immediate medical aid. Most often, victims of car accidents are taken to the nearest hospitals and clinics in Fort Pierce, FL.
Hospitals and Clinics in Fort Pierce
Some common hospitals and clinics in For Pierce, FL that victims are taken after an accident or while they are in the process of recovery are:
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center
This is a hospital that has a total of 380 beds and has been rated positively by patients. The hospital offers various medical services by the staff or with an agreement with a third party. These include but are not limited to occupational therapy, diagnostic radiology, emergency services, therapeutic radiology, clinical lab, inpatient surgical, operating rooms, outpatient surgery, postoperative recovery room, and medical-surgical ICU. It is located at 1700 South 23rd Street, Fort Pierce, FL 34950, and the phone number is (772) 461-4000. Additionally, because of their full-service Emergency Room department, many people are taken to Lawnwood Medical Center for injuries sustained after car accidents and slip-and-fall incidents; especially because these types of cases often result in spine, neck, and brain injuries.
Treasure Coast Behavioral Healthcare
Treasure Coast Behavioral Healthcare is located at 1870 N Lawnwood Cir, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. It offers specialized services in neurology and psychiatry. Patients with brain injuries like traumatic injuries after a car accident may be taken here for behavioral healthcare and neurological treatment.
St. Lucie Medical Center
St. Lucie Medical Center is a 229-bed hospital that offers a full range of acute care services. It includes services like outpatient and inpatient surgery, rehabilitation and orthopedic services too. The hospital offers emergency services too. It is the only Chest Pain accredited hospital in the area and is accredited by the Joint Commission. The hospital’s address is 1800 SE Tiffany Ave., Port Saint Lucie, FL, 34952. In addition, St. Lucie Medical Center is experienced in assisting people who have been injured from accidents because of car accidents and slip and falls, full-service CT-scan machines help the medical providers diagnose these varying types of injuries.
Martin Memorial South Hospital
Located at 2100 Southeast Salerno Road, Stuart, FL 34997, the hospital offers various healthcare services close to home. The facility is located conveniently for residents of Fort Pierce and Treasure Coast. They provide access to quality and vital medical care.
After a severe accident, most injured victims are taken to Martin Memorial hospital’s emergency room. They have the staff and the facility to treat all kinds of medical problems and critical injuries. The hospital staff is equipped with the skills needed to provide emergency care related to car crashes and falls, chest pain after an accident, major trauma, severe burns, life-threatening condition, head injuries, paralysis and uncontrolled/excessive bleeding.
At Martin Memorial South Hospital, patients get immediate and urgent care. Their emergency room is open round the clock throughout the year. For inquiry, call (772) 223-2300.
Injuries Caused by Automobile Accidents
After a roadside accident that involves passenger cars, motorcycles or trucks, it is crucial to seek immediate medical assistance. Therefore, call 911 and ask them to send an ambulance right away to take you to the hospital nearby and a law enforcement officer to create an accident scene report for legal requirements. Automobile accidents can result in severe injuries that can lead to excessive blood loss or internal bleeding, thereby putting victims in a life-threatening position.
According to our seasoned automobile accident lawyer in Fort Pierce, some of the most common injuries that victims suffer from automobile accidents are:
Brain Injuries
When a passenger car comes into contact with another vehicle, victims can suffer from a traumatic brain injury. Also known as TBI, a traumatic brain injury can lead to severe or mild concussions. It is a severe brain injury as it can impair your sensory and cognitive functioning, thereby negatively affecting your life.
Apart from that, the recovery period for traumatic brain injuries is both long and slow. Sometimes recovery is also uncertain. As per the statistics presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately thirty percent of the total deaths in passenger vehicle accidents are caused by traumatic brain injuries.
Head Injuries
These occur commonly in head-on collisions and high-speed car crashes. Due to the car’s high speed, the heads of the victims may hit the steering wheel, windows or the dashboard and result in injuries. Head injuries can also lead to:
- Vision problems
- Skull fractures
- Loss of hearing
Damage to the Spinal Cord
Back or spinal cord damage is another common injury that victims experience after a car accident. The torque and the collision’s impact on the body of the victim injure their spine. Needless to say, that any damage that occurs to the spine can result in nerve and muscle damage.
This injury is also far too common because the human body is not designed to withstand massive impact. Such collisions can result in partial and total paralysis. Spinal damage is not only painful but can cause permanent disability hampering movement for life. In such a situation, you may no longer be able to work and earn a livelihood.
Thus, you must seek quality legal assistance from our experienced car accident lawyer in Fort Pierce. Our attorney can fight your case and make sure that you get the compensation that you need to pay for current and ongoing medical expenses and achieve financial stability to move forward in life.
Neck injuries
Often victims of rear-end collisions suffer from neck injuries such as:
- Whiplash
- Neck sprain
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Upper vertebral fractures
- Dislocation fractures
Sudden movement and impact of the car can damage the neck muscle and ligaments of the victims. Whiplash, however, is the most common of all the neck injuries. This is mainly a soft tissue injury that occurs when the force caused by the collision of the vehicle jolts the victim’s head inside violently back and forth. It can be described as similar to a whipping motion.
Symptoms of a whiplash injury are:
- Severe pain in the neck
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Memory problems
- Difficulty with concentration
- Stiffness in the neck
Treatments for whiplash and neck injuries may include different therapies such as massage therapy, physical and range-of-motion therapy. Sometimes doctors at different hospitals and clinics in Fort Pierce may also advise muscle relaxants and even surgery if the neck’s damage is extensive.
Chest Injuries
The blunt force trauma from an automobile crash can negatively affect the area of the chest, thereby resulting in:
- Collapsed lungs
- Broken ribs
- Muscle strains
- Contusions
Internal bleeding in the chest is also common and can be a severe issue following an automobile accident. As this can be life-threatening, immediate medical attention is recommended.
Abdominal and Pelvic Injuries
Common in head-on and T-Bone car collisions, the severity of abdominal and pelvic injuries predominantly depends on the victim’s position of the seat, weight, and height.
Leg and Knee Injuries
Victims of a head-on car collision are also vulnerable to leg and knee injuries. They may experience contusions and fractures in their legs and lower extremities, while common knee injuries include ACL and PCL tears, ruptured tendons of the knees, joint dislocation, hyper-extensions of the ligaments in the knees. And due to the complex system of the nerves and tendons in the knees, these injuries can lead to severe complications in the victim’s mobility.
Shoulder Injuries
The shoulders of the car driver can also be injured in an accident. This happens from the absorption of the force after the driver braces their hands against the wheel. Due to the accident’s impact, the shoulders lock in position and receive excessive force that results in serious injuries.
Facial Scars and Injuries
Some accidents may result in facial scars and disfiguring injuries. These injuries are caused by impact and when the face of the victim hits the wheel, dashboard, airbag or broken glass windows, and windshield. These injuries can damage the face and require multiple surgeries. In some situations, facial injuries can leave a lasting scar on the victim’s face.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, it is advisable to call 911 for medical aid. There are many hospitals and clinics in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie, and Martin County, so that the ambulance will take you to any of the medical centers nearest to the accident scene for immediate medical aid. Once your treatment begins, make sure to call our experienced Fort Pierce personal injury lawyer for case consultation and representation. Hire Shiner Law Group’s attorneys and professionals to fight your case and get you the compensation you deserve for the injuries and losses.
