Common injuries caused by car accidents

Common injuries caused by car accidents

Injuries from a car accident can range from minor to serious. The following list describes some of the most common or recurring injuries suffered by victims of car accidents:

Traumatic brain injuries:

Car accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in the United States. Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs when the brain is damaged by a head injury. The injury can result from a blunt blow or a sharp, piercing wound.

Spinal Cord or Neck Injury: The violent impact of an accident can cause severe damage to the spinal cord and neck. A common neck-related injury, known as whiplash, occurs when the head moves back and forth in a rapid, jerky manner. Spinal cord damage can range from minor to severe, with some injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis.

Burns: The body can be burned in several ways during or immediately after an accident. If your skin comes into contact with hot fluids, surfaces, or chemicals, you may burn yourself. If the car catches fire during the accident, you could suffer serious burns requiring surgery or skin grafts.

Fractures and broken bones:

It's no surprise that broken bones and fractures are common in car accidents. Broken legs, ribs, arms, ankles and hazards occur due to hard impacts and can range in severity from a fracture to a complete break. Some broken bones will require surgery to reset and heal properly.

Facial Injuries:

Broken glass and impact with the steering wheel can cause cuts and other facial injuries. If severe, surgical correction may be necessary.

Soft Tissue Injuries:

   It's easy to think that soft tissue damage is less serious, but that's not necessarily true. Soft tissue damage may not become noticeable or apparent for several days after the accident. Organ damage may not be evident to the naked eye and may cause serious injury or death.

Post-traumatic stress disorder:

   Not all injuries resulting from a car accident are physical. Many people suffer from mental and emotional trauma after an accident. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be diagnosed by a trained psychiatrist. Symptoms typically include feeling worried or anxious about activities that felt normal to you, nightmares, and memories of the traumatic event.