The 8 Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents are the leading cause of injury in the U.S. Both minor and serious car accidents have the potential to cause devastating injuries. 

Many car accident victims find themselves unable to work while facing mounting medical expenses. Car accident injuries can affect your job, your finances, your family, and your daily life.

Injuries from car accidents range in severity from minor to serious to fatal. Here are 8 common car accident injuries.

1. Whiplash

Car accidents can cause the neck to move and jerk upon collision. Even at low speed, this jarring can cause the neck to tear and strain.

Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions. You may not notice the symptoms of whiplash immediately. Symptoms include:

• Neck pain
• Stiffness
• Upper back pain
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness

It’s important to seek a medical evaluation after a car accident, even if you feel fine. 

2. Head Injuries

Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Any blow to the head can cause a concussion or damage to the brain.

Brain injuries can affect your life in many ways, making it impossible to work, play, or perform your daily activities.

Symptoms of a head injury include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Loss of Consciousness

Brain injury survivors often cope with long-term consequences that require ongoing medical treatment and support.  Symptoms of a head injury don’t always appear right away following an accident.

Prompt medical treatment is needed following an accident to check for a head injury.

3. Broken Bones

Broken or fractured bones are common car accident injuries. Serious crashes or multiple vehicle collisions often result in these types of injuries.

Broken bones are dangerous, and they can indicate other internal injuries that are more difficult to treat. When a car accident victim has broken bones, it’s important to have a full medical evaluation to check for other injuries.

Common broken bone injuries include:

• Skull fractures
• Spinal injuries
• Hip injuries
• Broken pelvis
• Broken ribs
• Leg, arm, and wrist fractures 

Broken bones require a long healing process. Patients may require long-term therapy and rehabilitation to recover. Some broken bone victims require surgery or metal plates and screws to correct these injuries. 

4. Back Injuries

A back injury can affect everything you do. It can make working, sleeping, and daily tasks difficult if you’re in pain.

Car accidents are a frequent cause of back injury. Victims may experience back strain, fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, or other back or neck injuries.

Back injuries can take months or even years to heal and may require ongoing physical therapy or medical treatments. If you suffered a back injury or any injury due to the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

5. Cuts and Scrapes

During a car accident, objects or broken glass can turn into flying hazards. This can lead to a variety of minor to serious soft tissue injuries.

Items in the car and even airbags can cause these types of injuries. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s a good idea to see a doctor following a car accident.

Soft tissue injuries can be serious if they are deep, become infected, or result in serious blood loss. 

6. Internal Injuries

The impact of a car accident can damage your organs. Your organs are delicate, and a hard jolt or seatbelt injury can result in internal bleeding.

This is a very serious and sometimes life-threatening injury that requires prompt treatment. Any noticeable bruising or cuts on the abdomen or torso could indicate internal bleeding.

After an accident, you may not be aware of the full extent of your injuries. Seek medical treatment right away following a car accident to be evaluated for internal bleeding and other serious complications.

7. Chest Injuries

Chest injuries are common in car accidents. These types of injuries often require surgery. 

Chest injuries may include:

• Bruises
• Contusions
• Broken ribs
• Collapsed lung
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage

Drivers are at higher risk for chest injuries due to the close proximity of the steering wheel to the chest area. Seatbelts can also cause chest injuries during impact.

Chest injuries are common in older cars without airbags and in vehicles when airbags fail to deploy.

Symptoms of a chest injury may include:

• Bruising or swelling
• Shortness of breath
• Numbness or tingling
• Changes in heart rate
• Coughing
• Redness
• Crackling sound in the chest
• Coughing up blood 
• Low blood pressure

Chest injuries are serious and may be life-threatening. Seek medical attention right away following a car accident injury.

8. Emotional Injuries

In some cases, the most serious injury from a car accident is one you can’t see. When your body experiences an episode of great stress, it affects you emotionally.

In some cases, anxiety, depression, or PTSD may result following a car accident. Some car accident victims experience stress and depression due to their physical injuries as well.

Mental injuries are real and can cause great suffering for accident victims.

Treatment for these issues is important and necessary to keep the situation from getting worse. Mental injuries require medical attention just as physical injuries do.

A Car Accident Injuries Attorney Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a car accident at no fault of your own, you have rights. You may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses, time away from work, pain and suffering, and more.

It’s a good idea to contact a car accident attorney for advice. They can evaluate your claim to see what type of compensation you may qualify for.

An experienced car accident attorney can help you determine the best steps forward. As you heal, they can handle the details and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

We understand the stress of dealing with car accident injuries. And we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.