Vision Loss After An Erie, Pennsylvania, Car Accident

The Dietrich Law Firm, P.C., Could Help You Secure the Compensation You Need to Begin Rebuilding Your Life.

While researchers believe that motor vehicle crashes are responsible for a disproportionate percentage of serious facial injuries, the symptoms of significant ocular damage can progress slowly. Even after survivors recover from their initial injuries, they may find their vision in sudden decline. After an accident, any change in visual acuity or perception could indicate a serious problem. This problem could worsen with time, making it difficult for survivors to return to work, enjoy time with friends and family, and maintain healthy, independent lives. However, securing the compensation needed to pursue high-quality medical care can be difficult.

For years, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has relentlessly fought for the rights of Erie, Pennsylvania automobile accident survivors. Since our founding in 2005, our attorneys have secured more than $175 million in damages—money that our clients have used to eradicate medical debt, pay for physical rehabilitation, and replace lost income from work. We could help you, too. Please message the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. online or call us today at 814-839-3939 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

Motor vehicle crashes and collisions are among the leading causes of accidental injury and death nationwide. According to recent research, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System recorded an estimated 75,028 serious motor vehicle accident-related eye injuries over a recent seven-year period. Reported injuries included the following:

1. Contusions and abrasions;
2. Foreign body contamination and penetration;
3. Hemorrhages;
4. Lacerations; and
5. Conjunctivitis.

While some eye-related injuries—such as contusions, abrasions, and lacerations—are easy for physicians to identify and diagnose, other internal injuries could cause vision problems seemingly unrelated to observable ocular damage. These injuries could include, but are not limited to:

1. Concussions: A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is typically caused by sudden, powerful movements. An estimated 90% of people diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries suffer visual symptoms, which could include poor eye-tracking ability, ocular fatigue, and spatial disorientation.
2. Hyphemas: A hyphema is a trauma-related eye injury characterized by the collection of blood inside the front of the eye. Hyphemas can be caused by contact sports accidents and motor vehicle collisions. Unlike broken blood vessels, hyphemas can be very painful and require immediate treatment.
3. Retinal Injuries: Retinal injuries, including retinal detachments, are serious medical conditions that could affect one or both eyes. If left untreated, a retinal injury could cause permanent vision loss and even blindness.
4. Optic Nerve Damage: The optic nerves transmit messages between the eyes and the brain. Increased pressure inside the skull can tear, rip, or otherwise damage the optic nerve. Minor optic nerve injuries could cause blurred vision, while more serious injuries could cause partial or total blindness.
5. Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden force or movement. In most cases, whiplash presents no immediate symptoms. When whiplash eventually emerges, it could cause complications, including pain, numbness, and recurring headaches. Some whiplash patients have reported vision problems, too. While whiplash sometimes disappears after two to three months, it has no known cure and can become a chronic, potentially disabling condition.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s experienced team of Erie, Pennsylvania, car accident attorneys knows what it takes to hold a wrongdoer accountable for their misconduct. Please call us at 814-839-3939 to speak to a legal professional and discuss your options for a rapid legal recovery. You do not have to suffer in silence.

You should always seek medical attention after a car crash. Even if you do not believe you have been seriously injured, many eye-related injuries are difficult to detect and do not present any immediately noticeable symptoms. A physician could help you identify, diagnose, and treat any significant ocular complications. Since eye-related injuries can be disabling, you should contact a doctor if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms after an automobile accident:

1. Blurred vision;
2. Bruising in or around the eyes;
3. Collections of blood in or around the eyes;
4. Difficulty moving the eyes;
5. Trouble focusing on or tracking objects;
6. Unexplained sensitivity to light;
7. Double vision;
8. Headaches, especially after reading or engaging in other visual tasks;
9. Inability to recognize family members’ faces, places, and objects; and
10. Sudden nearsightedness or farsightedness.

While seeking medical treatment is imperative, affording the high costs of medical care can be difficult—even for families with stable finances and comprehensive health insurance policies. Eye-related injuries often require specialist care and intensive interventions, which could cost thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses and lost earning opportunities.

However, you do not have to bear the burden of another motorist’s misconduct. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades aggressively advocating for car crash victims across the Keystone State. Our highly experienced team of vision loss attorneys could help you obtain the compensation you need and the justice you deserve. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 814-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!