We’ve all had that gut reaction of fear and surprise after being hit with a sudden, unexpected jolt in the car. It’s never pleasant. But while we may walk away unharmed from these minor fender-benders, statistics tell a scarier truth about serious injuries from car accidents.
Millions of drivers wind up seriously injured every year from car crashes. Car collisions remain one of the leading causes of critical and fatal wounds like brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and severe burns. Yet, while we can’t remove all the risks, awareness of the most common car accident injuries arms us with lifesaving information.
Knowledge and preparation make a world of difference when rapid medical care means preventing lifetime disability or death. This article breaks down the top ten injuries following an accident.
Whiplash: The Most Prevalent Car Accident Injury
Whiplash tops the list as the most common type of injury from car accidents. This neck injury occurs when the head is suddenly thrown back and forth, stretching and straining the muscles, tendons, and ligaments beyond their normal range.
Symptoms include:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Shoulder and back pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tingling in the arms and legs
Whiplash can happen at slow speeds like 15 mph. The injury may not appear until hours or even days later as inflammation sets in. Long-term effects can include chronic pain, vertigo, and reduced mobility if not properly treated.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Back and spinal injuries frequently result from the sudden impact of a collision. Common types include:
- Herniated discs: vertebrae slip out of place, pushing sensitive tissues outside the spine’s protection. This often requires surgery.
- Pinched nerves: damaged discs put pressure on nerves, causing severe pain and impaired mobility.
- Spinal cord injuries: vertebral fractures or dislocations stretch/tear the cord, potentially causing paralysis. These are lifelong, debilitating injuries.
Recovering compensation for extensive medical treatment, assistive devices, home modifications, and lost income is crucial.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a violent blow to the head disrupts normal brain function. Concussions are mild forms, while moderate-severe TBIs can cause cognitive deficits, emotional/behavioral problems, speech impairments, and more, sometimes requiring life care.
Crash victims may sustain a TBI even without direct head trauma due to the “rebounding” of the brain within the skull. Since symptoms aren’t always immediate, it’s critical to monitor for changes post-accident. Victims often need long-term rehabilitation and therapies.
Broken Bones
Fractures occur in car crashes when heavy forces are applied to the body. Some common breaks include:
- Ribs: from seat belts or steering wheels
- Legs/feet: pressed against pedals
- Arms: bracing during impact
- Skull fractures: from hitting the interior or window
In severe crashes, compound fractures that tear through the skin can lead to infections. Healing broken bones takes extensive time off work and medical treatment.
Internal Organ Damage: Bleeding and Bruising Risks
The tremendous forces involved in accidents can damage organs without necessarily breaking the skin. Blows to the chest or abdomen can rupture or detach internal organs. Rapid deceleration makes organs vulnerable to shearing and tearing.
Some common internal injuries include:
- Lung contusions: Bruising and bleeding in the lungs that causes difficulty breathing.
- Splenic rupture: The spleen, on the upper left side of the abdomen, is prone to rupture and internal bleeding.
- Bowel perforation: The intestines can develop holes, resulting in dangerous leakage into the abdominal cavity.
- Aortic dissection: The largest artery in the body, the aorta, is at risk of tearing.
Crushing injuries between objects and surfaces in the vehicle can also damage soft tissues throughout the body. Seeking prompt treatment is critical, as internal bleeding can rapidly become life-threatening.
Facial Lacerations from Broken Glass
Airbags deploying and broken glass flying in a crash frequently cause cuts on the face. Deep facial lacerations affect nerves, muscles, salivary glands and, ducts, and other structures. Plastic surgery may be required to close wounds and minimize scarring and deformity. Glass shards in the eyes can damage vision. Dental injuries are also common facial trauma.
Knee Damage from the Dashboard and Steering Wheel
Knees are often injured when they slam into the dashboard, steering column, or back of the seat in front during a frontal collision. Meniscus cartilage tears need arthroscopic surgery. Severe impacts can fracture bones and ligaments around the knee joint, requiring reconstructive surgery and lengthy rehab.
Burns
Hot liquids, chemicals, or electrical components in a severely damaged vehicle can cause disfiguring third-degree burns. Airbag deployment also leads to certain burn injuries. Victims endure excruciating pain, skin graft surgeries, and permanent scarring. Seeking fair compensation can assist in recovery.
Emotional Trauma and PTSD
Beyond physical harm, car accidents also take a psychological toll. It’s common to experience anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, anger, and other issues after a traumatic crash. Some accident survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relive the experience through intrusive memories, nightmares, and overwhelming fear and anxiety.
Mental health counseling and treatment are critical to recovering from emotional trauma. Damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological injury are often major components of car accident compensation.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Facial lacerations from windshields/glass and bone fractures that don’t properly align can leave permanent, severe scars or disfigurement. Victims may lose self-confidence and require plastic surgery. Scar tissue can hinder joint mobility. These injuries deserve compensation.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident Injury
If you or a passenger has suffered any injury in an auto accident, take these steps:
- Call 911 and seek emergency medical attention if needed.
- Gather information, including names, contact info, insurance details, and license plates, and take photos of damage and injuries.
- Report the crash to the police and your insurer. Give a factual statement without speculating on fault.
- Get examined and follow up with appropriate doctors even if you feel fine initially. Injuries like whiplash may not appear immediately.
- Consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
- Keep detailed records of medical bills, lost wages, prescriptions, mileage to appointments, and other accident-related costs. Don’t post on social media until your claim is resolved.
- Follow your doctor’s course of treatment and attend all therapy sessions to ensure maximum recovery.
The personal injury attorneys at Donaldson Law can help North Carolina car accident victims recover damages for the full scope of their injuries.
They handle negotiations with insurance companies so you can focus on healing and take aggressive legal action when warranted. Don’t settle for less than you deserve – contact their team today for a free case review.
