Despite all the advances in driverless technology, vehicle accidents are still a huge issue in this country and around the world. Personal injuries occur in one out of every five accidents. Over three million people are injured in car accidents across the USA every year. While many advancements have been made in automobile safety, it is clear there is still a lot of work to be done.
Here are some of the most common injuries suffered in car accidents:
Cuts & Bruises
A simple collision might not seem like a big deal, but banging your leg or hand against the dashboard could lead to bruising. Many people experience bruising from a sudden jolt with a lap belt. Fortunately, bruising and contusions are usually minor injuries, and it means your seat belts did their job in your car accident. Even if your injuries are minor it is a good idea to get checked out by your doctor.
Whiplash
If you have back or neck pain after an accident, there’s a good chance you are suffering from whiplash. When you are in an accident, your body moves in unnatural ways, and this can lead to strains in your ligaments and muscles. If the neck moves forward or backward suddenly and snaps back in place, it will cause soft-tissue strains. Rear-end accidents often cause whiplash since it pushes the body forward while the head stays in place or jerks backward.
Whiplash victims are often portrayed in movies as trying to fake an injury to collect insurance money, but whiplash is a real and common injury caused by the forces created in a collision.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating and permanent. These are among the most severe injuries seen in automobile collisions. Many victims are left with partial or complete paralysis and never walk again.
Back Injuries
Serious back injuries might be connected to a spinal cord injury. More often, back injuries are caused by strains, sprains, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and other ailments.
It is important to note back injuries are not always apparent after an automobile accident, but you want to get checked out if you believe you are experiencing back pain due to a car accident.
Head Injuries
Concussions can occur even if you just knock your head back and forth after a car accident. You do not have to hit anything to have a concussion. The symptoms may not appear right away, but they can be serious, so if you have headache, head pressure, loss of consciousness, dizziness, nausea or other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A severe TBI can cause permanent injuries or ongoing issues which can be completely debilitating.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Psychological Problems
PTSD symptoms are common after going through a traumatic event like a serious car accident. Some people are scared to drive after an accident. Other people develop deep emotional or mental conditions, or they may develop aversions to images or sounds.
If a driver caused serious injuries or death to other people, they may experience depression or anxiety.
Seeing a psychologist or therapist can help you deal with the symptoms of PTSD after a crash.
Broken Bones
There are many ways you could have a fracture or broken bones after an accident. Simple fractures are broken bones that don’t break the skin. Compound fractures penetrate through the skin.
There are other instances where passengers or drivers suffer fractured ribs from the seatbelt. If you suspect anything might be broken after an accident, schedule an appointment to be examined by a physician.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is one of the most dangerous injuries because it may not be readily apparent to witnesses there is damage to internal organs. These injuries can be life-threatening, so if there is internal bleeding, treatment needs to begin as soon as possible.
Depending on the nature of the accident, car accidents can cause all kinds of injuries. Automobile insurance can help pay for treatment, but seeing a doctor right after the accident confirms your injuries and starts the documentation needed to process a medical claim through an auto insurance provider.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Craig Follis at Epperly Follis at 804-648-6480 to schedule your consultation.