It’s no secret that vehicle collisions can lead to serious injury — but did you know that there are potentially more common types of car accident injuries than you might think? In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the various common injuries that can result from car accidents and what you can do to look out for them in the future. From head injuries caused by whiplash to the lesser-known possibility of internal organ damage, we’ll cover a range of different categories that you should be aware of. We’ll also take a look at how different shapes and sizes of vehicles can increase the risk of some of these injuries and provide some tips on precautionary measures you can take to help lessen the chances of sustaining these types of injuries in an accident. So let’s jump right in and start breaking down the common injuries that can be caused by car accidents.
Quick Answer to Key Question
Common injuries sustained in car accidents include whiplash, neck and back pain, broken bones, and head trauma. To ensure the best possible outcome, it is important to seek medical attention right away if you have been involved in a car accident.
Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of serious injuries that can affect the body in many ways. Common types of injuries affiliated with car collisions include cuts and bruises, whiplash and spinal cord damage, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or even death. When this happens, one of the first things you should do is consult a criminal lawyer .
Cuts and bruises are some of the most common types of injuries caused by car accidents. These could be minor or complex depending on how the crash affects the person. Bruises may take weeks or months to heal, while lacerations may require stitching or other medical treatment.
Whiplash is another common type of injury sustained in a car accident. It is caused when an individual’s head is jerked back and forth quickly in a violent manner. This can cause pain in the neck as well as shoulder area due to trauma sustained to the ligaments and muscles of these areas. In some cases it can lead to long-term discomfort if not treated properly.
Soft tissue injury is another type of injury which can occur as a result of a car accident. These injuries generally occur when the muscles, tendons and ligaments are damaged from an impact or sudden movement. They can cause long-term pain or loss of motion in the affected area if not treated immediately.
Brain injures and concussions along with broken bones are also frequent types of car accident injuries. More serious collisions can have traumatic consequences for victims, including permanent physical disabilities or even death. These types of injuries often require extensive medical attention and rehabilitation for recovery.
Overall, car accidents can cause a variety of different types of injuries that could potentially be life altering if not addressed with proper care and attention. With that being said, it is important to make sure you are aware of the potential risks associated with being on the road before getting behind the wheel, so you can avoid these common injuries caused by car accidents.
Next up we will discuss neck and back injuries – two particularly common types of automobile accident injuries – as well as how they might be prevented and/or treated properly.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States in 2018.
- The American College of Surgeons found that among those injured in car accidents, head/neck injuries occurred in 28% of cases, followed by chest injuries at 16%, pelvis/spine injuries at 12%, and leg fractures at 11%.
- A 2020 study published in the journal Injury Prevention found that the most commonly reported types of injuries from motor vehicle crashes were strains/sprains (30%), cuts/abrasions (26%), and contusions/fractures (18%).
Neck and Back Injuries
Neck and Back Injuries are among the most common injuries sustained from car accidents. Whiplash is one of the most common neck and back injuries. This occurs when the soft tissue of the neck is subjected to an extreme force, usually from being jerked forward and backward due to an abrupt stop in a collision. While this can be a minor injury, in some cases, whiplash can cause extreme pain and limit mobility for months or even years.
Other possible neck and back injuries following a car accident include fractures, muscle sprains, ligament tears, herniated discs, spinal cord damage and nerve damage. In severe cases of spinal cord damage, paralysis may occur.
Some doctors debate whether a person could suffer serious damage following a seemingly minor collision. Some studies suggest that a certain amount of force must be present to cause a serious spine injury. Others argue that any type of crash can cause injury due to an individual’s body composition and frame as well as the type of vehicle involved in the collision.
No matter what side is taken in this debate, it is important to seek medical attention after any car accident regardless of how minor or severe it seems. That way individuals can receive a proper evaluation from trained medical professionals if they have sustained any type of injury including neck and back injuries.
The next section will discuss Head Injuries: another major concern following car accidents (please get a legal help with personal injury claim on your case if you suffered brain damage in an accident caused by someone else).
Main Takeaways
Neck and back injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents, with whiplash being particularly common. Other possible neck and back injuries include fractures, muscle sprains, ligament tears, herniated discs, spinal cord damage and nerve damage that can result in paralysis if severe. While some doctors debate whether a certain amount of force must be present to cause spinal injury or if any type of crash can cause injury, it is important to seek medical attention after any car accident regardless of its severity. The next section will discuss Head Injuries.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are one of the most common and potentially severe injuries following a car accident. In fact, research shows that up to 5 million people in the U.S. suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year due to motor vehicle accidents. Head injuries can range from mild to life threatening and can include concussions, bruises, lacerations, swelling, bleeding in the brain, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injury—all of which require medical attention as soon as possible.
Signs that a person has sustained a head injury can include unconsciousness, dizziness or balance issues, confusion or disorientation, slurred speech or impaired language, numbness or weakness in their limbs, severe headache or pressure in the head, nausea and vomiting, changes in vision or hearing, drowsiness or fatigue, sensitivity to light or sound and any type of unusual behavior.
Some people may mistakenly believe that they only need to see a doctor if they struck their head on something during the car accident or display physical signs of an injury. However, many times head injuries can exist without any visible signs of trauma—particularly when it comes to traumatic brain injuries—so it’s always best to seek medical attention after a crash just to err on the side of caution.
The debate rages on when it comes to wearing helmets while driving. Some believe that helmets should be legally required for all drivers and passengers; others feel that everyone should have the right to make their own choice about wearing safety equipment within their own vehicles. No matter which side you take on this issue, there is no doubt that helmets can provide protection from serious head injuries in certain types of crashes.
As with all bodily injuries caused by car accidents it’s important to seek out medical care if you suspect you have sustained a head injury of any kind since immediate treatment can help minimize long-term damage and improve chances for full recovery.
Next we will discuss cuts, bruises and skin injuries resulting from car accidents—another common outcome following a collision.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with car accidents. It is caused by a rapid back and forth movement of the head that causes strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back. Although very painful, it typically does not cause permanent damage or disability, making it one of the less severe car accident injuries.
Symptoms of whiplash may include neck pain, stiffness, and tenderness to the touch; headache; blurred vision; fatigue; dizziness; and numbness in various parts of the body. In some cases, temporary paralysis of the arms and legs can occur if the spinal cord is damaged.
There has been debate over whether whiplash injury exists as a real condition, outside of being an excuse for those seeking financial gain out of legal settlements following an accident. Proponents argue that extensive research has demonstrated its validity as a medical condition while skeptics claim that it is something made up to help litigants win court cases. While this remains a matter of debate, medical professionals agree that symptoms associated with whiplash are real and can be debilitating for victims who suffer from them.
The best way to avoid the onset of whiplash after an accident is to wear a seatbelt at all times. Additionally, if your car is equipped with headrests, make sure they are appropriately adjusted so that your neck is properly supported during any unexpected stops or jolts.
By taking proper measures to protect yourself from this painful injury before an accident happens, you may be able to prevent it from occurring altogether. Now let’s take a look at other serious injuries suffered in car accidents, as noted by accident attorney.