Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries resulted in 4.5 million hospitalizations in 2019 alone. While some injuries may appear minor, they have the potential to worsen, especially without the proper medical care.

Taking certain precautions to prevent accidents from occurring in their entirety, like defensive driving, is ideal. However, there are steps to take after an accident and specific injuries to be especially wary of. 

Here are the eight most common car accident injuries to keep an eye on and how to best treat them. 

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury that results from forceful and rapid movement of the neck, often like what happens when you’ve been in a car accident. You’ll probably know when you have whiplash because you likely will have a stiff neck. You may also experience worsening pain whenever you move your neck.

If you have neck pain or bruising after an accident, see a doctor as soon as you can. Receiving a proper diagnosis is essential for your overall health.

Ruling out broken bones or a concussion allows your doctor to provide the best possible treatment plan for your injuries.

2. Bruising

Bruising is by far the most likely to occur in car accident injuries. These mostly pop up in places where your seatbelt sits, like the hips, chest, neck, and even your stomach.

If this occurs, it’s important to ice the area. If you don’t have an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables will also work. Wrap the frozen object in a towel and place it on the injury for 15-20 minutes several times a day.

If you’re able, elevating the bruised area above your heart can be effective at allowing blood flow. Over-the-counter pain killers are also an effective way to help injuries.

3. Scrapes and Cuts

Scrapes and cuts can result from a number of things in a car accident — even from the airbag itself.  If any glass breaks in your car, this can also result in getting a cut or scrape.

Most of the time, these types of car accident injuries are minor, but more severe cases may require stitches.

Make sure a thorough cleanup is conducted and that all of the glass has been thrown out. This will prevent future knicks and cuts from leftover debris. 

4. Broken Bones

A common car accident injury from a major accident is breaking a bone. A few of the more common bones that get broken are the legs, ankles, pelvis, ribs, arms, wrists, and even the hands.

If you experience pain, redness, swelling, or an inability to stand or move, seek immediate medical attention.

It’s especially important to get checked out if you notice symptoms like these near your ribs. There’s a chance the injury has punctured other internal organs.

5. Burns

Burns commonly occur in a car accident if the airbag deploys. More severe burns can occur if something inside the vehicle sets on fire.

Minor burns naturally heal within a week or two. Severe burns can require everything from IV fluids to surgery and a prolonged recovery time.

It’s important to seek medical attention so your car accident injuries do not get worse.

6. Brain Injuries

Everything from a concussion to serious traumatic brain, also known as TBI, injuries can occur from car accidents, and they’re not to be ignored. From memory loss to changing brain function, head injuries can lead to severely life-altering injuries.

Although more common, concussions must be treated as soon as possible. Symptoms of a concussion can range from headaches to nausea to blurred vision or even amnesia. Head injuries will worsen if concussions aren’t properly tended to. 

When dealing with any type of car accident injury, like head trauma, seek treatment immediately. 

Because the treatment for catastrophic injuries can be complex and costly, consulting with an attorney is recommended. Working with a personal injury lawyer will help you find qualified medical specialists. They will help find treatment for your head trauma, as well as fight to get you compensation to cover your medical bills. 

7. Internal Bleeding

Though you can’t see this injury, it is often the most serious in any car accident. Car accident injuries like internal bleeding are why you must be examined by a doctor. Even if you don’t believe you are injured, confirm with a medical professional. 

Your organs are delicate and can be easily injured in a car accident. They can also occur from broken or splintered ribs. This is why it’s important to have those injuries examined if you are experiencing symptoms.

8. PTSD

This isn’t a physical injury, but post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have an everlasting impact. It can also have an impact on how they feel in a car whenever they’re on the road.

PTSD can bring on flashbacks to the event and make it feel as though someone is reliving it all over again. It can also have an impact on a person’s nervous system. Constant stress emits chemicals into the body that are harmful that are in prolonged or high doses.

Preventing Car Accident Injuries Is Essential

As you can see, preventing car accident injuries is essential to people’s mental and physical health. Taking precautions to ensure the safety of you and everyone around you is a great way to prevent injury.

Knowing about these injuries can also be helpful in the event you are ever in a car accident.

While some at-home care can temporarily treat some of these injuries, it’s always best to see a doctor after an accident. This will ensure your injures do not progress and that you are properly caring for your injuries. 

Next, contact a personal injury attorney. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, The Law Offices of Daniel Kim can help you recover compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.