Car accident injuries can be overwhelming, result in financial strain due to high medical bills, and cause a dramatic disruption in the victims’ quality of life. The most frequently injured body parts are hands, legs, head, neck, back, and spine. In this article, we’ll outline seven common injuries resulting from car accidents.
1. Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common car accident injuries. A soft tissue injury causes strains, bruising, sprains, ligaments, and tendon muscle damages that can be very painful. The bruises usually take a few weeks at most to heal, but some muscle pain can take a long time to heal.
2. Whiplash injury
Whiplash is a type of injury to the upper form of the body or the neck due to stretched muscle and ligaments. This happens when a collision causes sudden movements on the head and neck, causing injuries. These mechanisms can also cause other severe injuries in the back when the force pushes against the spine. Whiplash injuries can be expensive to treat. Be sure to get a personal injury attorney like Adam S. Kutner Accident & Injury Attorneys to help you get the compensation you deserve if you have been involved in an accident that resulted from the negligence of another person.
3. Broken and dislocated limbs
The body braces its body for impact by stiffening the legs and arms as an instinctual defense mechanism. The collision causes the knees and hands of passengers to ram against the dashboard, front seats, or doors as there is little room for movement inside the car. This can lead to bone fractures and dislocation of joints like elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Severe collisions can even lead to the amputation of limbs.
4. Scrapes and cuts
When a car collision occurs, any loose objects inside the car like coffee mugs, cell phones, or sunglasses can cause minor scrapes and cuts that can result in blood loss, which may also require medical attention for stitches.
5. Chest injuries
Chest injuries can range from bruises and contusions to severe internal injuries like broken ribs. In the event of a collision, the driver’s body gets thrown forward. This causes the chest area to experience force, strain, and bruise in the area where the seat belt or shoulder harness passes.
The driver’s position behind the wheel offers little room for movement. If the driver doesn’t have the seat belt on or properly fitted, the chest collides with the steering wheel or the dashboard, causing serious chest injuries.
6. Head injuries
Head injuries from car accidents take many forms, ranging from minor to most severe. Head injuries are a result of either sudden and unnatural movements or from impact. The sudden movements cause the neck and back muscles to strain, causing injuries. A severe collision causes the head to slam against the window or steering wheel, resulting in scrapes and bruises or closed head injuries. Sudden movements cause damage to the tissue and fluid inside the head, causing concussions or brain damage in case of a severe impact.
7. Internal bleeding
The forces of a car accident, especially the high-speed collisions, can cause damage to your delicate internal organs. If not treated promptly, internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
Endnote
Always remember that some injuries as a result of a car accident are not immediately apparent. Some injuries may take days or even months before any symptoms can appear. This is why it is advisable to always seek medical attention after a car accident, whether you are experiencing any discomforts or not.
