What Are the Most Common Injuries from a Car Accident?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 4 million people were injured in car accidents last year. While the types of injuries vary from one accident to the next, there are some common injuries that happen more than others.
Broken Bones
One of the most common injuries caused by car accidents is broken bones. An extreme amount of force is taken to the body during a car accident. When the force on the bone is great, it causes the bone to break. Many people have experienced broken ankles, arms, hips, legs, ribs, and wrists during a car accident.
There are two different types of broken bones that result from car accidents, including compound fractures and simple fractures. A compound fracture is when the fractured bone actually penetrates the skin. This type of fracture often requires surgery. A simple fracture is when the bone breaks without causing an open wound and is typically treated with a cast.
Cuts and Scrapes
Also among common injuries are cuts and scrapes. Loose objects, such as coffee cups, cell phones, books, tools, glasses, and food containers, get tossed around. If you are struck by one of these objects, it can cause cuts and scrapes to the skin. This type of injury is usually minor, but in some cases result in blood loss, stitches, or infection.
Internal Bleeding
A ruptured blood vessel caused by flying debris or blunt force can cause internal bleeding. This can be in the form of bleeding inside the body that will not stop, or clots that keep the blood from circulating properly. Internal bleeding can be a fatal injury. Thus, any indication of internal bleeding requires immediate medical attention.
Damage to Soft Tissues
When there is an injury to the connective tissue in the body, it is referred to as soft tissue damage. Injuries such as bruises, sprains, and strains occur when ligaments, muscles, or tendons are torn or stretched.
Knee Injuries
Where you are sitting in the car at the time of the accident plays a major role in the injuries that you may endure. Your knees may be injured when they hit the dashboard or the back of the front seats. The impact can damage the ligaments in the knee, often leading to surgery.
Neck and Back Injuries
Injuries to the neck and back can occur due to the force of the impact on the spine. The two main types of injuries in this category are whiplash and spinal cord injuries.
Whiplash is the name given to a soft tissue injury to the neck resulting from the sudden movement. This injury is especially common in a rear-end collision. In some cases, the pain from this type of injury will not appear immediately following the crash. However, once the pain does set in, it can be quite extreme. Medication, ice, a neck brace, and physical therapy are common treatments for whiplash.
A car accident can cause the vertebrae to rupture or shift out of place, resulting in a herniated disc. While this is considered a minor spinal injury, a more severe injury could lead to paralysis.
Head Injuries
One of the most severe injuries that commonly occur as the result of a car accident is head injury. A head injury may be as mild as a concussion, but could also cause traumatic brain injury.
If you have been involved in a car accident, you need to reach out to a lawyer you can trust in your hometown. A lawyer with integrity and dependability to make certain all your injury costs are covered is crucial following a car accident.
