7 Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Whether you are living in a small town or if you are on vacation, a car accident can occur anywhere – and it can cause come painful wounds that can impact your life for months and years in the future. However, some of the wounds you sustain are common and they can be treated with the help of medical experts.

Before taking a look at the article, it is worth mentioning that you should seek medical assistance immediately after a car accident. Although you might be feeling and looking fine, you never know what could have happened with your body during the impact, hence, always get checked out by a medical professional.

Now, if you found yourself in this situation or if someone close to you is in this situation, you are probably trying to figure out if the injuries are extensive or not. And, this is something that this article might help you with. Let’s take a closer look at the most common car accident injuries:

1. Whiplash

If you did some research before opening this article, you have probably noticed that this trauma is mentioned in all of the articles and information that you can find on this topic. This is because whiplash is the most common trauma that you can sustain when you are in a vehicle collision.

It happens when your muscles, ligaments, and tendons get moved suddenly and forcefully. This sudden movement moves your body faster than you ever could on your own. This impact can strain the muscles and other body parts without bones breaking. It can be extremely painful and you might need a few months to heal completely and properly.

2. Cuts, Bruises, And Open Wounds

There are other frequent car accident traumas that you can sustain including cuts, bruises, and open wounds. These things can happen by hitting your body parts against broken glass or metal, as well as hitting your arms, legs, or head against the vehicle parts. You could also get hit by any loose items such as your keys, bag, or smartphone.

Although the cuts or wounds might be minor, it could lead to potential future complications including the wounds getting infected. This is why you should seek medical assistance right away, even if the cuts are small. If you sustained a major open wound, you might need to go to the ER as soon as possible.

3. Brain And Skull Injuries

Perhaps the most serious wounds on this list, yet ones that happen frequently include skull and brain injuries. The first thing that is worth mentioning is that it can cause additional injuries to your brain that can cause complications to occur in the future. And this is why you should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.

If you do not treat these wounds properly, it can cause long-term issues with your brain, and you might get chronic problems such as migraines, as well as sleeping issues such as too much or too little sleep. It can be difficult to diagnose a brain injury, which is why you need to go to an ER. If you are thinking about seeking legal advice, check out Sarisohn, Carner, & DeVita for more information.

4. Fractured Ribs

Your ribs are probably the most fragile bones in your body, which means that even the slightest and moderate impact can cause them to break. Rib breakage is actually quite common when in a vehicle collision, hence, if you start feeling a sharp pain in your chest, you should head to the hospital.

You can sustain this injury if you are shoved forwards, sideways, or backward during the collision. Now, it is important to remember that it can cause further injuries to your internal organs, hence, make sure that you seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, you will need some time to heal, hence, you will be required to rest for at least a month.

5. Fractured Bones

Fractured bones are another common thing that can happen to all people involved in a car accident. Fractured arms, legs, hips, shoulders, sometimes even skull fractures can occur when a supernatural force impacts one’s body. When the force is greater than what your bones can sustain, the bones will fracture.

It is possible that you do not feel pain right away, especially since you might have an adrenaline rush, however, once that passes, if you experience excruciating pain to your limbs or other body parts, something is probably broken. Additionally, you might not be able to move a specific body part. Again, you will need to go to the hospital to get a cast.

6. Knee Injuries

Any sudden impact can cause your knee or knees to hit the steering wheel or dashboard. This can cause you to feel pain in your muscles, kneecap, tendons, or ligaments. This type of injury is extreme and you might be required to wear braces, walk on crutches, or get surgery to align your knee. Knees are complex, hence, if you forcefully slammed it during the accident, ensure that you check it out, especially since it can cause problems when walking.

7. Psychological Trauma

Although it is not a physical injury, PTSD can have some serious impact on your overall mental and physical health. That is why it is important to seek medical help if you start feeling depressed, anxious, or extremely overwhelmed after a car accident. Additionally, you might develop a fear of being in a vehicle or driving, which is something a psychotherapist can help you with.

Conclusion

Before finishing this article, there is one thing that you should remember. Never leave the car accident scene before the paramedics and police arrive. The police will take your information, as well as the information from the other person involved, and the paramedics will check you and your passengers for any injuries. Also, if possible and if you are not injured, take pictures of the scene. This can help you with your legal case, if you, of course, decide to hire a lawyer.

The injuries mentioned in the article above are common, however, just because they are common and minor does not mean that you should go home after an accident. What you should do is schedule an appointment with your doctor, especially since you will want to ensure that all your body parts and internal organs are in good condition.