Most Common Car Accident Injuries and Their Symptoms
- February 15, 2019
- Sandy
Over 2 million people are injured in car accidents each year. Those of us involved in a car accident can suffer various injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to life-threatening head trauma.
Were you or a loved one recently involved in a car accident that resulted in injury?
Read on to learn more about the different types of common car accident injuries and the symptoms you should look out for.
Neck Trauma: Whiplash
One of the most common injuries reported after being involved in a car accident is whiplash. Most people have heard of whiplash but how do you know if you’ve experienced this type of neck trauma?
Whiplash is a forceful back-and-forth type movement that occurs to the neck. This type of injury typically happens to a person when they’re hit from behind in a rear-end accident.
Several symptoms to watch out for include:
- Stiffness
- Neck pain
- Headaches
Luckily, most people recover quickly from this type of neck injury when they have a proper diagnosis and treatment plan in place.
Soft Tissue Injuries:
A common injury occurrence after being involved in a low impact car accident is damage to the soft tissues. These injuries occur when the body absorbs the speed from the collision, and the body is jolted. This can cause damage to the soft tissues, especially in the neck, resulting in possible torn ligaments or a herniated or protruding disc. In some cases, a brain injury can occur.
Several symptoms of a soft tissue injury to watch out for are neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, jaw pain and tingling in the shoulder area.
Back Injuries: Disc Damage
A car accident can lead to a variety of back pain and injuries. If you’re suffering from back pain after an accident, it’s very important to get immediate medical attention.
A common cause of lower back pain after an accident is damage to the spinal discs. This is known as discogenic pain, and it can affect any part of the spine, but especially the lower half. Signs of a damaged disc are intense shooting pain and difficulty moving and balancing.
Head Trauma:
The most severe and life-threatening injury that can occur during a car accident is any form of head trauma. Injuries to the head can range from a mild concussion to permanent brain damage. It’s crucial you seek immediate medical attention if you’ve suffered any type of head injury or believe you may have.
A concussion is considered a mild head injury that may cause a small period of unconsciousness but typically doesn’t cause permanent brain damage. On the other end, a hematoma, or blood clot, forms when the blood vessels rupture and often requires surgery to remove the clots that have formed from the rupture.
Symptoms of a brain injury can vary but typically include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Visual difficulties
Minor Bruising and Cuts:
During an accident, it’s common for your body to hit the steering wheel or be struck by glass from your windows or injured from the impact of your airbag releasing.
If you suffer cuts in an auto accident, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and bandaged properly. Some cuts may be more severe, and you may need to get stitches.
Bruising happens when an injury breaks a blood vessel under the surface of your skin. This causes the blood beneath your skin to leak, resulting in the black and blue discoloration. However, more serious bruising can occur internally in the deeper tissues of the body, muscles, and internal organs.
Signs you may have internal bruising are:
- Pain and tenderness in the location of the injury
- A limited range of motion (muscle bruising)
- Appearance of blood in urine (kidney bruising)
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in legs (back bruising)
- Shallow breathing
A car accident can be a traumatic and difficult experience for anyone. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a car accident and suffered injuries, contact us today and see how we can assist you.
An experienced attorney can help you get compensation for things like:
- Medical bills
- lost wages
- pain and suffering
- transportation costs
- rehabilitation
- and more
Time is of the essence, so don’t wait to contact one of our experienced attorneys to find out how we can help you or your loved one receive the compensation you deserve.
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