What Are the Most Common Injuries from Car Accidents?

Learn what injuries can happen in a car accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that approximately 2.74 million individuals were injured in automobile accidents in 2019. While the severity of these accidents varies, common car crash injuries can drastically affect your quality of life. 

If you are injured in a car accident, it’s important to work with a skilled car accident injury lawyer to make a claim for compensation. While no amount of money can erase the impact of an accident, getting compensation can help cover medical costs and help you get your life back on track. 

Call our compassionate and experienced car accident lawyers at (888) 612-7001 to schedule a free, no-obligation case review today, and keep reading here to learn more about the most common injuries from car accidents. 

 

Cuts, Scrapes & Bruises

During a car crash, flying objects within the vehicle can cause these scrapes, abrasions, cuts, and bruises. These objects may include broken glass, car parts, and airbags. Minor injuries can be remedied with basic first aid and non-prescription drugs. 

However, if these injuries are severe or become infected, it’s necessary to seek medical attention from a professional. If a scrape or cut is infected, it’s important to keep an eye out for critical symptoms, such as increased pain or swelling 24-48 hours after the accident, a larger scab, more redness around the wound, pus draining from the wound, and fever. Worsening bruises should also be taken seriously, as this may be related to internal injuries or bleeding. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. 

 

Our What Are the Most Common Injuries from Car Accidents? Lawyer Near Me (888) 612-7001

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of soft tissue injury that affects the neck and upper back, and it is one of the most common types of injuries in a car accident. Whiplash can happen when the head and neck move suddenly during a collision, leading to the stretching of muscles and ligaments. Car accidents can also cause soft tissue injuries in other body parts, such as the back. Muscle sprains in the mid-back and low-back are common auto accident injuries, and sometimes the impact force against the spine can cause more severe back injuries.

Recovery time for whiplash typically ranges from a few weeks to several months, but more severe cases can have long-term effects. It’s possible for symptoms to appear days or even weeks after an accident. Signs of whiplash include: 

• Stiffness or pain in the neck 
• Headaches
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Blurry vision 
• Ringing in the ears 

Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to damage to the spinal cord resulting from trauma, usually due to a severe blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae, leading to bruising or tearing of the spinal cord tissue. This type of injury commonly causes some form of paralysis. 

The extent of disability resulting from a spinal cord injury depends on the location and severity of the injury. The level of the injury is determined by the lowest functioning part of the spinal cord. Injuries are classified as “complete” or “incomplete” based on their severity. A complete injury results in a loss of motion control and almost all sensations below the level of the injury. An incomplete injury, on the other hand, leaves some sensation and motor function below the level of the injury, and the severity can vary.

Signs of a spinal cord injury may include:

• Paralysis
• Spasms
• Fertility problems
• Sexual dysfunction
• Pain in your spinal cord
• Pain and pressure in your neck, head, or back
• Difficulty breathing
• Unbalanced movement

 

Concussions

In a car accident, hitting your head on parts of your car can cause a concussion, which can lead to memory problems, such as difficulty recalling what you were doing before the accident or feeling slower mentally. Don’t underestimate a concussion: consult a doctor as soon as possible if you believe you may have sustained one. Seeking immediate treatment for any head injury is important not only to alleviate potential headaches but also to promote the brain’s recovery.

 

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries occur when the head experiences a violent jolt, which can cause minor to serious damage. In some cases, you may experience a concussion that affects you temporarily. However, in severe cases, there may be torn tissues or internal bleeding that can result in long-lasting complications or death. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, similar to whiplash, may not appear for some time. If the traumatic brain injury is serious or left untreated, it could even result in a coma. 

Signs of a traumatic brain injury can include: 

• Headaches 
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea or vomiting
• Mood changes
• Seizures 
• Slurred speech

 

Broken Bones

Heavy collisions, like car accidents, can cause breaks and fractures in bones that may not be immediately detectable.The severity of bone breaks can vary from minor ones, which can be treated with a cast, to more severe ones, such as compound fractures, that may require surgical intervention to heal properly.

Bone fractures can be categorized as displaced, non-displaced, closed, open, stress, or partial, based on how the bone breaks. Chest injuries and broken ribs are common because they are often caused by seat belts; however, these are necessary and important for preventing more severe injuries and fatalities. Every car accident is different, and many bones can be broken from the impact of a collision. Symptoms of a broken bone or fracture include: 

• Pain 
• Swelling 
• Bruising 
• Limited mobility

 

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding can be difficult to diagnose immediately following an accident, as you might attribute symptoms such as upset stomach and headaches to the stress of the event. However, these symptoms may be indications of a more serious issue, like internal bleeding or organ damage. It’s crucial to get examined by a doctor to prevent potentially serious or even fatal consequences. Symptoms of internal bleeding may include: 

• Swelling
• Very dark purple skin 
• Migraines or headaches
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Fainting
• Abdominal pain
• Upset stomach
• Seizures

Mental & Emotional Trauma

When it comes to common car crash injuries, many people only consider physical conditions. However, mental and emotional trauma can have equally harrowing consequences. Experiencing a traumatic event like a car accident can lead to the development of emotional and mental disorders, including  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Indications of PTSD may involve fear of driving after the incident, avoiding specific sounds or sights linked to the accident, or difficulties with sleep due to anxiety or nightmares. The good news is that mental trauma is treatable. Seeking treatment from psychologists and therapists can be beneficial in dealing with PTSD and resuming normal life.

 

Injured in a Car Accident? You Deserve Justice!

Common injuries from car accidents may not be immediately apparent or noticeable, and symptoms may not manifest until days or weeks later. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial, regardless of how you feel after the crash. It’s important to know that you may be entitled to recover damages for common auto accident injuries you may have sustained. 

Our car accident attorneys can help you obtain the best compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. Our legal team will thoroughly evaluate all the facts and evidence of your case, work with investigators to determine liability, collaborate with medical experts to document the extent of your injury, and calculate past, current, and future medical expenses.

Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers at (888) 612-7001 for a free, no-obligation case review today.