Common Car Accident Injuries That Require Surgery

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP – New York City Car Accident Lawyers for Serious Injuries

A serious car accident in New York City can change your life in an instant. One moment, you are commuting through Manhattan, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, or driving your children to school in Queens. The next moment, you may be in a New York City emergency room hearing words like “surgery,” “fusion,” “internal bleeding,” “fracture,” or “traumatic brain injury.”

If your injuries are serious enough to require surgery, or your doctors expect that you will need surgery in the future, you are not dealing with a routine fender bender. You are facing:

• Hospital stays and invasive procedures
• Months of painful rehabilitation
• Time out of work or permanent job changes
• Mounting medical bills and insurance complications
• Lasting pain, limitations, and emotional distress

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our NYC car accident attorneys represent seriously injured crash victims throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County. We handle the insurance companies and legal strategy so that you can focus on your medical recovery and your family.

Do not be a victim twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation with a New York City car accident lawyer.

Why Some New York City Car Accident Injuries Require Surgery

Not every New York City car accident injury needs an operation. Many sprains, strains, and minor fractures can heal with rest, bracing, and physical therapy. However, some injuries are so severe, unstable, or life-threatening that surgery is the only realistic way to protect your health and long-term function.

Surgery after a motor vehicle collision may be necessary to:

• Stabilize fractured bones or the spine
• Relieve dangerous pressure on the brain or spinal cord
• Repair torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles
• Stop internal bleeding and repair damaged organs
• Reconstruct the face, jaw, or teeth after trauma
• Replace damaged joints or spinal discs
• Remove unsalvageable tissue or perform an amputation

These procedures can save your life or preserve your ability to walk, work, and care for yourself. They also mean higher medical bills, longer recovery, more time out of work, and more complex insurance and legal issues under New York’s no-fault and serious injury laws.

Common Car Accident Injuries That Often Require Surgery in NYC

1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Brain Surgery

Head trauma is common in serious New York City car accidents, especially when the head strikes a side window, steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. Traumatic brain injuries range from concussions to life-threatening damage that can involve:

• Bleeding in or around the brain (hematomas or hemorrhages)
• Bruising of brain tissue (contusions)
• Skull fractures
• Swelling that increases pressure inside the skull

Brain surgery may be required to:

• Evacuate blood clots or pooled blood
• Relieve intracranial pressure by temporarily removing part of the skull (craniotomy)
• Repair skull fractures
• Insert a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid

Even after surgery, TBI survivors may experience long-term problems with memory, focus, sleep, mood, balance, and personality. These “invisible” injuries must be carefully documented in any New York City car accident claim.

2. Back Injuries and Spinal Surgery

The spine absorbs enormous forces during collisions on New York City streets and highways. Crash victims may suffer:

• Bulging, herniated, or ruptured discs
• Fractured or dislocated vertebrae
• Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
• Spinal cord compression or pinched nerves

Symptoms can include sharp back pain, radiating leg or arm pain, numbness, weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis.

Common spinal surgeries after a NYC car accident include:

• Discectomy or microdiscectomy to remove damaged disc material pressing on nerves
• Laminectomy or decompression to remove part of the vertebra and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots
• Spinal fusion to stabilize two or more vertebrae with bone grafts, screws, rods, or plates
• Artificial disc replacement in selected patients to preserve spinal motion

Spinal surgery often requires lengthy rehabilitation and long-term activity restrictions. For many New Yorkers, these injuries can end a physical career, limit commuting, and permanently change daily life.

3. Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A direct injury to the spinal cord is one of the most devastating outcomes of a motor vehicle collision. Spinal cord injuries can cause:

• Partial or complete paralysis
• Loss of sensation below the injury level
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Sexual dysfunction
• Chronic pain and muscle spasticity

Surgery may be necessary to:

• Stabilize fractured or dislocated vertebrae
• Decompress the spinal cord
• Remove bone fragments or disc material pressing on the cord

Even with prompt and skilled surgery in a New York City hospital, many spinal cord injuries have lifelong effects. These cases often require wheelchairs or other mobility aids, home and vehicle modifications, personal care attendants, and ongoing medical support. Your NYC car accident lawyer must build a claim that accounts for these long-term needs.

4. Herniated or Ruptured Discs

A herniated or ruptured disc occurs when the soft inner core of a disc pushes through its outer layer. Rear-end collisions and other high-impact crashes frequently cause this type of injury.

Milder disc injuries sometimes improve with:

• Physical therapy
• Medications and injections
• Activity modifications

Severe disc herniations or those that compress nerve roots or the spinal cord can cause:

• Radiating pain down the arms or legs
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of bladder or bowel control in extreme cases

Surgical options include:

• Discectomy or microdiscectomy
• Laminectomy to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure
• Spinal fusion when the disc cannot be repaired, or the spine is unstable

These procedures can relieve pain and neurological symptoms, but even successful surgery may leave permanent restrictions that must be reflected in your New York City injury claim.

5. Bone Fractures, Compound Breaks, and Orthopedic Surgeries

New York City car crashes frequently cause fractures in the:

• Arms, wrists, and hands
• Legs, ankles, and feet
• Ribs and collarbone
• Pelvis and hips
• Facial bones

While simple fractures often heal with casting or bracing, more serious fractures typically require orthopedic surgery, especially:

• Comminuted fractures where bone shatters into multiple pieces
• Displaced fractures where bone ends are out of alignment
• Open (compound) fractures where bone pierces the skin
• Joint fractures involving the knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, or elbow

Standard orthopedic procedures include:

• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using plates, screws, rods, or pins
• External fixation with an external frame and pins for severe or contaminated fractures
• Joint replacement for severely damaged hips, knees, or other joints

Even after healing, many fracture victims develop stiffness, loss of motion, chronic pain, or post-traumatic arthritis that affects their ability to walk, climb subway stairs, and stand for long work shifts in New York City.

6. Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are prevalent when a driver or passenger is thrown forward and strikes the dashboard or center console. Common crash-related knee injuries include:

• Torn ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL ligaments
• Meniscus and cartilage tears
• Patella (kneecap) fractures
• Joint surface damage that can lead to arthritis

Depending on severity, knee surgery may include:

• Arthroscopic ligament repair or reconstruction with tissue grafts
• Meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy
• Open surgery with screws or plates to fix fractures
• Partial or total knee replacement when damage is severe

Knee surgery often requires months of physical therapy and limited weight bearing. Persistent knee pain or instability can make it challenging to climb subway stairs, walk long city blocks, or perform jobs that require standing or lifting.

7. Severe Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries involve muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Many sprains and strains heal with conservative care, but severe tears can be just as disabling as broken bones.

Surgery may be required for:

• Torn knee ligaments
• Torn rotator cuff or labrum in the shoulder
• Severe muscle tears
• Chronic joint instability or recurrent dislocations

These procedures are often performed arthroscopically through small incisions, but recovery is still slow and requires extensive physical therapy and time away from work.

8. Internal Organ Injuries and Internal Bleeding

Some of the most serious injuries from NYC car accidents are not visible at all. Blunt force trauma from a seat belt, steering wheel, or collision with the interior of the vehicle can injure organs such as the:

• Lungs
• Liver
• Spleen
• Kidneys
• Intestines

These injuries can cause internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, or organ failure. Symptoms may not appear until hours after the crash, which is why immediate medical evaluation is crucial.

Common emergency surgeries include:

• Laparotomy to open the abdomen, locate bleeding, and repair organs
• Organ repair, including suturing tears and sealing blood vessels
• Removal of organs that are too badly damaged to save, such as the spleen or part of the bowel
• Chest procedures to address collapsed lungs or bleeding around the heart

These injuries often involve intensive care, blood transfusions, extended hospital stays, and long-term health complications.

9. Facial, Dental, and Reconstructive Injuries

Impacts with airbags, dashboards, steering wheels, windows, and broken glass can cause severe facial trauma, such as:

• Fractures of the jaw, cheekbones, or eye socket
• Nasal fractures
• Deep facial lacerations and scarring
• Dental injuries or tooth loss

Surgical care may involve:

• Facial bone reconstruction using plates, screws, or wires
• Nasal reconstruction to restore structure and breathing
• Orbital fracture repair to protect the eye and preserve vision
• Dental surgery and implants
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery to reduce scarring and improve appearance

Visible scars and disfigurement can cause significant emotional distress. Under New York law, you may recover damages for mental anguish, embarrassment, and loss of enjoyment of life in addition to your medical bills.

10. Burn Injuries and Skin Graft Surgeries

Crashes that involve fires, explosions, or hot fluids can cause severe burns. Second and third degree burns often require:

• Multiple debridement surgeries to remove dead tissue
• Skin grafts using your own skin or artificial substitutes
• Later reconstructive or cosmetic procedures

Burn victims may face chronic pain, high infection risk, scarring, contractures that tighten the skin, and severe psychological trauma.

11. Amputations and Limb Loss

Some New York City collisions cause such severe crush injuries, deep lacerations, or burns that saving a limb is impossible. In other cases, complications such as infection or tissue death lead to amputation later.

Amputation-related care may involve:

• Emergency surgery to remove the damaged limb and prevent life-threatening infection
• Additional surgeries to shape the residual limb for prosthetics
• Prosthetic fitting, adjustments, and periodic replacements
• Intensive physical and occupational therapy

Limb loss affects mobility, employment, driving, self-care, and every aspect of daily life. Your NYC car accident attorney must present a claim that accounts for lifelong prosthetic costs, home and vehicle modifications, and ongoing support services.

12. Psychological Injuries: PTSD and Emotional Trauma

Not all serious car accident injuries involve surgery. Many New York City crash victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions, including:

• Flashbacks and intrusive memories
• Nightmares and sleep problems
• Avoidance of driving or riding in vehicles
• Anxiety, depression, or irritability
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed

These conditions often require therapy and medication. These damages can and should be included in a New York car accident claim.

The Financial Impact of Surgical Car Accident Injuries in New York City

When surgery is involved, the actual cost of a car accident goes far beyond your surgeon’s fee. You may be facing:

• Emergency room and hospital charges
• ICU care and continuous monitoring
• Surgeon and anesthesiologist fees
• Diagnostic testing, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Medications and pain management
• Medical equipment, such as braces, walkers, and wheelchairs
• Home health aides or assistance with daily tasks
• Future surgeries or revision procedures

On top of that, you may be:

• Out of work for months
• Unable to return to your prior job or work the same hours
• Losing health insurance, retirement contributions, and other benefits

You are also coping with pain, reduced independence, and emotional distress. A New York City car accident lawyer must present all of these losses so that you can seek full compensation from the responsible parties.

How Will I Pay for Surgery After a NYC Car Accident?

In New York:

• No fault (PIP) insurance pays reasonable and necessary medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault, up to the policy limits.
• Health insurance may pay some costs, but you may later seek reimbursement from your settlement through a process called subrogation.
• The at-fault driver’s liability insurer usually pays only once, in a settlement or after a verdict, rather than paying bills as they come in.

This can leave injured people stuck between urgent medical needs and slow-moving insurance claims.

Letters of Protection

In some cases, a Letter of Protection (LOP) can help you access needed care while your case is pending.

A Letter of Protection is a written promise from your personal injury lawyer to your medical provider that the provider will be paid from the proceeds of any settlement or verdict. In exchange, the provider agrees to treat you now and delay collection efforts.

An LOP may be helpful if:

• You are uninsured or underinsured
• Your health insurance refuses to cover specific treatment
• Providers are reluctant to treat accident-related injuries

Not every case requires or should use an LOP. At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we evaluate your medical and financial situation, explain your options, and help you pursue a strategy that protects both your health and your legal interests.

How Surgery Changes Your New York Car Accident Claim

New York’s no-fault system is designed for relatively minor injuries. In serious injury and surgery cases, no-fault limits are often reached quickly.

To pursue full compensation from the at-fault driver, vehicle owner, company, or public entity, you generally must show that you suffered a “serious injury” as defined by New York Insurance Law. Surgical injuries often satisfy this standard. Examples include:

• Fractures
• Significant disfigurement
• Permanent consequential limitation of a body organ or member
• Significant limitation of the use of a body function or system
• Qualifying non-permanent injuries that prevent you from performing your usual activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the crash

Insurance companies often try to minimize surgical claims by arguing that:

• The surgery was not medically necessary
• Your problems are due to pre-existing or degenerative conditions
• Your pain and limitations are exaggerated
• A later surgery is unrelated to the collision

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, your New York City car accident lawyers:

• Obtain and analyze emergency room records, hospital charts, imaging, and operative reports
• Work with your treating doctors and independent medical experts to explain why surgery was necessary
• Project your future medical needs, including revision surgeries, injections, and long-term therapy
• Evaluate how your injuries affect your ability to work, care for your family, and live your day-to-day life
• Present your pain, suffering, and emotional harm in a way that insurance carriers and juries can understand

What To Do After a New York City Car Accident If You May Need Surgery

If you were involved in a car accident anywhere in New York City:

1. Get medical attention immediately
   Even if you think you are “okay,” serious injuries such as internal bleeding, TBIs, and spinal damage may not show symptoms right away.
2. Tell your doctors about all symptoms
   Could you describe any pain, limitations, or changes you notice? This helps your providers order appropriate tests and make informed decisions about surgery.
3. Follow treatment recommendations
   Attend follow-up appointments, follow restrictions, and complete prescribed therapy. Treatment gaps can harm both your health and your case.
4. Document everything
   Could you keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, and therapy schedules? Please take photos of any visible injuries and scars. Keep a journal of how your injuries affect your daily life.
5. Do not give recorded statements or sign releases for the other driver’s insurer
   Insurance adjusters often want you to say things that minimize your injuries or to accept a quick, low settlement.
6. Contact an experienced NYC car accident attorney as soon as possible
   Evidence and witnesses can be lost, and New York’s deadlines are strict. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Car Accident Injuries in New York City

Do I have a case if my car accident injuries required surgery?

Often yes. Suppose another driver, vehicle owner, company, or public entity was negligent and caused the crash, and your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold. In that case, you may bring a claim for damages beyond basic no-fault benefits. Surgery is strong evidence that your injuries are serious, but your New York City car accident lawyer must still prove fault and document your damages.

What types of compensation can I recover after surgery from a NYC car accident?

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to recover:

• Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, therapy, and medications
• Costs of medical equipment, prosthetics, braces, and assistive devices
• Home health care and assistance with daily activities
• Home or vehicle modifications due to disability
• Past and future lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life

In fatal cases, surviving family members may seek wrongful death damages.

How do New York’s no-fault rules affect my surgical injury claim?

New York’s no-fault (PIP) coverage pays some medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who was at fault, but only up to the policy limits. No-fault does not compensate you for pain and suffering or significant long-term losses.

To pursue full compensation from the at-fault party, you generally must prove that you suffered a “serious injury” under New York law. Surgical injuries often meet this standard, but insurance companies may still contest it. An experienced NYC car accident attorney can evaluate your case and push back against these tactics.

What if I had pre-existing back, neck, or joint problems before the crash?

You can still have a strong claim. Under New York law, the at-fault party is responsible for aggravating or worsening a pre-existing condition, or for accelerating your need for surgery, even if you were already vulnerable.

Your attorney will compare your medical records from before and after the collision, use imaging studies, and consult with your doctors to show how the crash changed your condition.

My surgery happened months after the accident. Will the insurance company say it is unrelated?

Insurers often argue that delayed surgery is due to aging or normal wear and tear. That is why consistent medical treatment and clear records are so necessary.

If you reported symptoms early, followed up with providers, and imaging shows a continuing or worsening condition, your New York City car accident lawyer can often connect the surgery back to the collision with strong medical support.

What is a Letter of Protection, and do I need one in my NYC car accident case?

A Letter of Protection (LOP) is a written promise from your attorney to your medical provider that the provider will be paid from any settlement or verdict. In return, the provider agrees to treat you now and delay collection.

You might need an LOP if:

• You lack health insurance or have minimal coverage
• Your insurer refuses to approve needed care
• Providers are reluctant to handle accident-related billing

Not every case calls for an LOP, but when appropriate, it can be a valuable tool. A New York City personal injury attorney can explain whether an LOP is right for you.

How long do I have to bring a lawsuit in New York?

In many standard motor vehicle accident cases, the general statute of limitations for personal injury in New York is three years from the date of the accident.

If the at-fault vehicle is owned by a city, state, or public authority, such as a city bus, police vehicle, or sanitation truck, you may need to:

• File a Notice of Claim within as little as 90 days
• Comply with shorter deadlines for filing a lawsuit

These are strict rules. In rare situations, exceptions can shorten or extend deadlines. You should consult a New York City car accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case.

What if I cannot work after my surgery?

Lost income is often one of the biggest worries for people who undergo surgery after a crash. In a New York car accident case, you may seek:

• Past lost wages while you were unable to work
• Future loss of earnings if you cannot return to your prior job or work the same hours
• Loss of employment benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we often work with vocational and economic experts to calculate your long-term loss of earning capacity.

Do I have to accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?

No. Early settlement offers in serious injury and surgery cases are often far below the actual value of the claim. Insurance companies know you are under financial pressure and may hope you will take a quick check and sign a release.

You should never sign a release or accept a settlement in a surgical injury case without talking to an experienced New York City car accident attorney.

Will I have to go to court?

Not necessarily. Many NYC car accident cases involving surgery settle before trial, mainly when your injuries are well supported by medical records and liability is clear. However, if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit and going to court may be the best way to protect your future.

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, prepares every case as if it might go to trial, which often leads to stronger settlement negotiations.

How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?

Our New York City car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis:

• You pay no upfront legal fees
• You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you through a settlement or verdict

We explain our fee structure clearly during your free consultation so you can make an informed decision.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for Your NYC Surgical Injury Case?

• Local Harlem office and multiple locations across New York for your convenience
• Our Fee Guarantee: No Fee Unless Successful
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials
• We deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
• Top-rated, award-winning lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
• Dedicated exclusively to personal injury law, with a strong record of results for seriously injured New Yorkers

We maintain offices in:

• Harlem
• Bronx
• Brooklyn
• Queens
• Staten Island
• Yonkers
• Nassau County

Your convenience and access to your lawyer are a top priority.

Our motto is powerful and simple: “Don’t Be a Victim Twice.”

Hurt in a New York City Car Accident and Facing Surgery? Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).

If you or someone you love requires surgery after a car accident in New York City, you do not have to fight this battle alone. Hospitals, insurance companies, and legal deadlines can be overwhelming when you are trying to heal.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we combine authoritative legal advocacy with genuine compassion. We fight to make sure:

• Your story is heard
• Your medical needs are respected
• Your financial future is fully accounted for

Call us today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, confidential consultation with a NYC car accident lawyer.

• The call is free.
• The consultation is free.
• You do not pay us unless we are successful.

Let Greenstein & Pittari, LLP handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and getting your life back.