Statistics suggest that medically consulted injuries in motor vehicle incidents amounted to 5.2 million in 2022. While these injuries differ from one crash to another, some car accident-related injuries are reasonably common. However, not all of these injuries are easy to identify. While some injuries may be minor, others can be severe and may lead to permanent or long-term health consequences if not caught on time.
Understanding the injuries one is likely to suffer following an auto crash enables you to take appropriate action when hurt, lowering the possibility of long-term damage. Discussed below are four common injuries after a car accident.
Contents
1. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most severe, life-threatening effects of an auto crash. The common types of TBIs caused by car accidents include:
- Concussions: They may result from a victim’s head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or door in a collision. Based on the injury’s severity, concussions can lead to brain swelling and bleeding, nerve damage, and more
- Contusion: It’s a bruise resulting from bleeding on the brain and may be caused by a direct impact on the head. If the bruised area is significant, contusions can be severe injuries and can lead to serious dizziness, headaches, and nausea
- Diffuse axonal injuries: The impact forces of a vehicle collision can lead to the brain striking the skull’s internal hard bone, injuring brain structures and ripping up nerve tissues
If you suffer from a traumatic brain injury following a car crash, an experienced personal injury attorney can help claim compensation for your medical expenses and other related costs.
2. Back and neck injuries
It’s common for auto crash victims to suffer back and neck injuries. If you’ve been in a vehicle accident, you may feel pain and know you need prompt medical care. However, some symptoms may not be apparent until after several hours or days. This can worsen your injuries if you don’t seek medical help early enough. Seeking prompt medical attention following a car accident boosts your chances of full recovery. Immediate back and neck injury symptoms include:
- Extreme pain in the back, neck, or head
- Difficulties walking or loss of balance
- Inability to control the bladder or bowel
- Burning sensations, numbness, or tingling on any body part
Lumbar sprains, spinal stenosis, lumbar spine injuries, whiplash, and disc herniation are some of the back and neck injuries you may sustain following a vehicle collision.
3. Internal injuries
While internal injuries after a car accident are common, they may be discovered multiple days after the crash because their symptoms aren’t apparent. They include:
- Broken ribs: They pose a major threat because of their proximity to crucial organs like lungs
- Internal bleeding: Auto crashes usually cause trauma to a victim’s blood vessels, keeping them from repairing themselves or clotting and leading to internal bleeding
Ruptured spleen, pneumothorax, and rupture of abdominal aorta are other internal injuries victims may suffer.
4. Limb loss injuries
Limb loss injuries in an auto crash are known as traumatic amputation or amputation. When amputation injuries occur, they lead to lifetime disability. In some cases, however, a digit (toe or finger) or limb (leg or arm) severed during a crash can be reattached, mainly if the stump and severed part are adequately taken care of. Often, prosthetic limbs are the best option for those who’ve lost a leg or arm.
Endnote
Auto accidents often lead to injuries that vary in severity and the consequences they leave behind. Familiarize yourself with the common injuries after a car accident, including TBIs, back and neck, loss of limb, and internal injuries.
