Every year, Americans spend more than a million days in the hospital due to car accident injuries. This results in billions of dollars in medical bills and lost work time. If you have recently been involved in a car crash, you know how terrifying it can be, especially if you’re dealing with severe injuries. Knowing the types of injuries that often result from car accidents can help you understand the severity of your situation and the importance of seeking timely medical care.
In this blog, we will review the top injuries resulting from car accidents so you know what to look for if you’ve been in a vehicle accident. We will also discuss how these injuries can affect your life and why working with a car accident lawyer may be essential for obtaining the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Strains and Sprains
Strains and sprains are among the most common injuries caused by car accidents. These soft tissue injuries often affect the ligaments, muscles, and tendons and can occur in various body parts. Common problem areas include the neck, back, shoulders, groin, and thighs. Neck injuries, particularly whiplash, are widespread in rear-end car crashes.
These injuries can be challenging to diagnose because they may not appear on standard diagnostic scans. However, they can cause severe discomfort and pain that may require long-term treatment. If you’ve sustained a strain or sprain, it’s crucial to seek medical attention as these injuries can sometimes mask more severe conditions, like fractures or spinal injuries. A car accident attorney can help ensure that your injuries from car accidents are adequately evaluated and that you receive compensation for treatment.
Bruising and Contusions
Even in a minor car crash, bruising and contusions are common. The force of the collision, such as when your body is thrown against the seatbelt, can lead to painful bruises on areas like your chest, torso, arms, and legs. Although these bruises generally heal within a few weeks, they can still cause significant pain in the accident's immediate aftermath.
If the bruising is extensive or you experience persistent pain, you may have internal injuries that aren’t immediately visible. For this reason, it is important to follow up with medical professionals after any car accident, no matter how minor it may seem. A car accident attorney can help you file a personal injury claim to recover damages for both the physical pain and emotional distress that result from these types of injuries.
Broken Bones
Broken bones and fractures are some of the most common and severe injuries caused by car accidents. High-speed collisions or direct impacts from the vehicle can cause bones to break in various places, including arms, legs, ribs, and even the skull. Sometimes, injuries like broken ribs may not be immediately apparent, especially if they are accompanied by bruising from the seatbelt.
There are several types of fractures that car accident victims may sustain. These injuries include:
- Stress fractures: A hairline crack in the bone that can be difficult to detect initially.
- Open fractures: When the bone breaks through the skin.
- Closed fractures: The bone breaks but remains under the skin.
- Displaced fractures: When the bone shatters and shifts out of place.
- Non-displaced fractures: The bone shatters but stays in place.
Insurance companies are generally more open to offering fair compensation for broken bones, as they are easily visible on X-rays. However, insurance adjusters may be more skeptical about injuries like whiplash or soft tissue damage. An experienced car accident lawyer can help advocate for you in these cases, ensuring that your accident injury is taken seriously and you are compensated fairly.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most severe consequences of car accidents. If your head strikes a part of the car during the crash—whether it’s the steering wheel, dashboard, or window—it can result in a TBI. Even a relatively minor collision can cause significant brain injuries, leading to symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, memory loss, and changes in behavior.
Brain injuries can vary widely in severity. Some people may recover fully, while others may experience lifelong effects. Treatment for TBI often requires long-term rehabilitation, making these injuries particularly costly. Because the consequences of brain injuries can be so significant, victims usually need compensation to cover ongoing medical costs and lost income during recovery.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries resulting from the sudden and violent force of a collision. When a vehicle is hit from behind, the head and neck are jerked violently forward and backward, causing strains in the neck muscles and ligaments. This type of neck injury can cause severe pain, limited range of motion, and headaches.
While most whiplash injuries heal over time, they can be quite debilitating in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Whiplash injuries often require physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation to help restore full function. Whiplash can also result in ongoing pain and discomfort, making it essential to seek treatment. If you’ve suffered whiplash or other neck injuries, a car accident attorney can help ensure you receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
In addition to physical injuries, car accidents can also have severe emotional and psychological effects. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event, such as a car accident. Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Fear of driving or being in a car
- Anxiety and panic attacks triggered by loud noises or images related to the accident
- Nightmares and trouble sleeping due to recurring thoughts about the accident
PTSD can be just as debilitating as physical injuries, and it often requires professional treatment to manage. If you’ve experienced emotional injuries or symptoms of PTSD after a car crash, a Dallas car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for your mental and emotional suffering in addition to any physical injuries you sustained.
Internal Bleeding
In some motor vehicle accidents, internal injuries can occur, leading to internal bleeding. This type of injury may not be immediately visible and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Internal bleeding often happens when the force of a car accident causes damage to the internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, dizziness, or confusion.
Even if you feel fine immediately after an accident, seeking medical attention is essential, as internal injuries can worsen over time and may not be immediately detectable. Car accidents can lead to serious internal injuries, and early detection is critical for preventing more severe complications.
Concussions
A concussion is a type of brain injury that can occur when your head strikes something during a car crash. Even in minor accidents, the impact can cause a concussion, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may experience concussion symptoms for weeks or even months after the accident.
If you’ve been involved in a car crash and suspect you may have a concussion or other head injury, it’s essential to seek medical treatment from a professional immediately. Even a mild concussion can have long-lasting effects, and getting proper care is crucial for your recovery and settlement amount.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe and life-altering injuries that can result from a car accident. These injuries occur when there is damage to the spinal cord, which can disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, spinal cord and back injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, or impaired motor functions.
The effects of spinal cord injuries can be profound, impacting a person’s ability to move or feel certain parts of their body. In severe cases, victims may require lifelong care, including physical therapy, surgeries, and adaptive devices such as wheelchairs. Even with medical advancements, spinal cord injuries often have no cure, and recovery is typically focused on rehabilitation and improving quality of life.
A spinal cord injury can occur in various ways during a car crash, including whiplash-type movements, direct blows to the back or neck, or compression from the vehicle’s interior. In rear-end collisions, the force of the impact can cause the spine to be forced into unnatural positions, increasing the risk of injury.
The treatment for a spinal cord injury often includes emergency medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and, in some cases, surgery to stabilize the spine and prevent further damage. Victims must seek immediate medical attention following an accident, even if symptoms initially seem mild. Timely treatment can make a significant difference in the long-term outcome.
Spinal cord injuries can result in significant medical expenses and require extensive physical therapy and home modifications. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover ongoing medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost income.
Why Get a Car Accident Attorney for Injuries?
A key aspect of personal injury law is that your attorney may help you access medical care for your injuries without requiring upfront payments. Many doctors and medical professionals are hesitant to treat car accident victims due to concerns about delayed payments or potential lawsuits. An experienced car accident lawyer is typically connected to medical professionals who will provide the necessary treatment while waiting for you to be paid.
Additionally, car accident lawyers are well-versed in handling insurance companies, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, lost income, and pain and suffering. They will help you file a car accident claim, which can be overwhelming when you’re dealing with the physical pain and emotional distress of car crash injuries.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Now
If you have been injured in a Dallas, Fort Worth, or Southlake car accident, you may face a lengthy recovery process. How will you pay for your medical bills? Who will cover your lost wages? A car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for these costs, ensuring your financial needs are met while you focus on healing. Contact one of our car accident lawyers today for a free consultation and discuss how we can help you with your claim. Call 817-329-9001 or speak with an attorney online.