The Most Common Injuries After an Auto Accident

Around 6 million car accidents happen each year in the United States. Out of these, around 33,000 people get hospitalized due to injuries caused by an automobile collision.

After suffering injuries due to another person’s negligence, your life can change suddenly and dramatically. Not only are you now in intense physical pain and discomfort, but you can experience overwhelming emotional distress as well.

While the worst outcome of a car accident is a fatality, there is a list of common injuries that people sustain when being involved in an auto accident. Understanding the damages your body can suffer is critical when seeking compensation for your injuries, and you should keep reading to learn more.

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries you can experience after a car accident. Whiplash is classified as a neck injury due to a forceful and rapid back-and-forth neck motion. It’s precisely like cracking a whip.

Most people who experience a whiplash injury are involved in a rear-end car accident. While a medical examination, a doctor can inform you that you have whiplash, here are some key signs you have this type of injury.

You may have a whiplash injury if you experience stiffness or pain in your neck that comes and goes with you after your car accident. Other symptoms of whiplash include localized severe neck pain, numbness, or tingling in your arms and shoulders. Whiplash can also affect your lower body, causing pain in your legs.

2. Concussions

You can get a concussion when you are involved in a car accident. This is one of those common injuries that can have lasting effects because it’s considered a traumatic injury to the brain. Concussions are caused by a  blow, jolt, or strike to the head during an auto accident.

For example, many people in a severe car crash get a concussion by hitting their head on the steering wheel. Concussions can also be caused by excessively violent shaking of the head during the sudden impact of an auto accident.

3. Soft Tissue Injury

Of common injuries after a car accident, some may experience a soft tissue injury. When you have a soft tissue injury, there is damage to your body’s connective tissue.

Think about your tendons and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries can take many forms. If you are in an auto accident, the injuries are typically in your neck and back.

In some cases, the auto accident can cause tears in your ligaments which can cause you to experience pain or bruises around the affected area. There can be swelling or inflammation, and a torn ligament can also impair your flexibility.

4. Broken Bones

In a car accident injury, it’s not uncommon to have broken bones. The most common type is a pelvic bone fracture. This typically happens when your fibula (lower leg) and femur (upper leg) break.

While bones are strong and can withstand a lot of pressure, they can break in a car accident when the force of the car crushes down onto your legs with tremendous force.

5. Herniated Disk

Another common injury you can suffer after an auto accident is a herniated disc. This car accident injury happens when the force of the impact causes your vertebrae (bones of the spine) to push into your spinal canal,

If compression, pressure, or irritation to your spinal cord, it will cause a herniated disk. You can experience a lot of pain with this type of energy because of the nerves in and around your spine that carry messages from your brain to other parts of your body. Having a herniated disc is a lifelong injury, and its effects can worsen over time.

6. Burns

Common injuries like burns are noticed right away after a car accident. When you get burns from a car accident, it’s usually first-degree burns, commonly happening when your skin rubs against your seat belt. With burns, you can experience instant pain.

However, in more severe auto accidents, you can suffer from second or third-degree burns, which require immediate medical attention, especially in the affected area.

7. Psychological Trauma

When in a car accident, it’s common just to consider the physical injuries, yet another common injury is the psychological trauma you can experience. Being involved in a significant car accident can cause extreme anxiety and depression.

It is common to experience PTSD or even car-related phobias after experiencing an auto accident. In the general population, motor vehicles are the leading cause of PTSD.

Studies have proven that people involved in car accidents can have psychological trauma that lasts up to a year. The initial recovery process can take up to a few weeks or as long as a month, and seeking counseling after an auto accident can be a good idea.

Do You Know About Common Injuries After a Car Accident?

Being involved in a car accident can take a toll on you physically and mentally. While some injuries are immediately visible, other common injuries may appear later. That’s why it’s essential to seek advice from an experienced auto accident attorney who can help review your case.

You deserve to be compensated if your life has been affected by a car accident. Finding a dedicated lawyer will help you get what you owe while considering your future.

If you need help with your injury claim, come to a firm you can trust. Reach out to Alpha Accident Lawyers today for your free consultation.