It’s no secret that car accidents are a leading cause of injury in the United States. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 2 million people were injured in car accidents in 2013 alone. And while any type of accident can be dangerous, car accidents tend to result in more serious injuries than other types of crashes. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to know what kind of injuries you might be facing. Below is a list of seven of the most common injuries caused by car accidents. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and there are many other types of injuries that can occur during a crash. So if you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical care even if you think your injuries don’t seem too severe.
1 – Concussions and Other Head Injuries
The brain is the most important organ in the human body, and it can be easily injured during a car accident. Head injuries are the most common types of car accident-related injuries, with nearly 40% of all crash victims being diagnosed with a brain injury. According to a trusted injury attorney located in Atlanta, it is important that you are compensated for your injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a wide range of accidents, including car accidents. In fact, more than 75% of traumatic brain injuries are caused by car accidents. Head injuries often occur when your head strikes a hard surface or is thrown against an object during an accident. Common symptoms of a head injury include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vision problems, convulsions or seizures, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If you suspect that you have a head injury following a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to determine if you have a concussion.
2 – Spinal Cord Damage
Spinal cord damage is another common type of car accident injury. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, about 31% of all spinal cord injury victims are involved in car accidents. Similar to head injuries, spinal cord injuries can be caused by your head striking the dashboard or windshield of a car, or your back and neck being hit by the vehicle’s roof. Spinal cord injuries can also occur when one of your vertebrae is jarred or displaced during an accident. Victims of spinal cord injuries are often paralyzed below the point of impact and may be unable to move their arms, legs, or both. The severity of your spinal cord injury depends on the location of the accident and whether or not your spinal cord is compressed or severed.
3 – Broken Bones
Broken bones are another common car accident injury. If your body is flung around during an accident, you could break one or more of your bones. Additionally, if you’re wearing your seatbelt improperly and the steering wheel pushes against your chest or abdomen, you could break one or more of your ribs. This type of injury is commonly seen in car accident victims who are not wearing their seatbelts, but it can also occur with proper use if the belt is not adjusted correctly. If you suspect that you have broken bones following a car accident, seek medical attention immediately to determine the location and severity of your injury. Broken bones can become life-threatening if they puncture a blood vessel, so it’s important to do everything you can to get medical care as soon as possible.
4 – Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are one of the most common car accident injuries, and they result from your head snapping back and forth. If you’ve ever experienced whiplash, you know how painful it can be. But to avoid whiplash in the event of an accident, try to keep your head straight and between the headrests.
5 – Spikes In Blood Pressure And Heart Rate
If you’ve ever seen someone lose consciousness after a car accident, it’s probably because they experienced spikes in their blood pressure or heart rate. This type of injury often occurs when the driver or passenger experiences a car accident and is jostled around as part of an impact. If your head strikes the steering wheel or windshield, your airbag could break your nose and cause serious bleeding. If you’re wearing your seatbelt improperly, it’s possible for your chest or abdomen to be impacted by the steering wheel, seat, or seatbelt. This type of injury is typically seen in car accident victims who aren’t wearing their seatbelts, but it can also happen with proper use if the belt is not adjusted correctly.
People with pre-existing medical conditions are especially vulnerable to car accident injuries, and the sudden changes in blood pressure and heart rate that occur during a crash can exacerbate these conditions.
6 – Inner Ear Damage
According to Brain Injury Help, inner ear damage is one of the most common types of car accident-related injuries. This type of injury can result in balance issues, vertigo, and even hearing loss. This can be caused by a blow to the side of your head, or by whiplash. If you experience inner ear damage in an accident, it’s possible for symptoms to appear days or weeks later.
7 – Tiredness And Fatigue
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to consider the fact that you might be very tired after the crash. Car accidents can be tiring events, so if you feel tired, it might not be because of the accident itself; it might be because your body is reacting to the stress of the event. The same thing goes for fatigue. If you feel fatigued after the event, try to get regular rest in order to avoid injuries resulting from exhaustion.
Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, from minor concussions to life-threatening spinal cord damage. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical care and understand the extent of your injuries. Remember that any type of accident can be dangerous, so if you’ve been in a car crash, it’s best to play it safe and see a doctor.
