Many car accidents can result in serious injuries for the victims. While some of these injuries resolve naturally, others require expensive medical procedures or can cause lasting physical and mental impairments.
Some of the most common injuries in car accidents include whiplash, broken bones, head or spinal cord injuries and penetrating injuries caused by shattered glass. The severity of these injuries can greatly impact a victim’s ability to return to work and life as usual. Contact Accident Lawyer in Colorado Springs for more information.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck. It is caused when the neck jerks back and forth rapidly due to sudden movement such as in a car accident. This rapid movement strains the neck and can cause severe pain and discomfort. It can also lead to a number of other health issues such as spinal cord injuries or herniated discs.
This type of injury is most common in rear-end accidents and can be caused by any collision that causes the head to jolt and move in a way that it is not used to moving. However, it can also be caused by front-end accidents and side-impact crashes as well.
Symptoms of whiplash include stiffness, tightness, pain in the neck or shoulders, headaches, numbness or tingling in the arms or hands. The injury is usually diagnosed using a physical exam and a review of the patient’s medical history. Sometimes, a CT scan or an MRI may be required to provide more detailed images of the muscles and other tissues in the neck that can help determine if there is an injury.
While whiplash can be treated with medication, massage, ice packs, and physical therapy, severe cases of this injury can lead to long-term symptoms that are difficult to manage. If you have suffered this injury in a New York car accident, it is important to seek immediate treatment from an experienced doctor.
Injuries to the neck and spine are among the most common types of injuries from car accidents. The force of the crash jars the spine and can cause severe neck injuries such as herniated disks or broken bones in the neck, back, or shoulders.
The back is especially susceptible to injury due to the positioning of the seat belt and the structure of the car itself. If you are in a rear-end collision, the impact can cause the head to jerk backward and then forward quickly. This jars the spine and can cause torn back muscles, herniated disks, or other serious neck injuries. Injuries to the legs and feet are also common in car accidents. Drivers and passengers often slam their knees into the dashboard or other surfaces as they brace themselves for impact. This can result in fractured bones, sprained ankles or wrists, and other painful injuries.
Broken Legs or Arms
Broken bones are a common car accident injury. Arm fractures often happen when passengers instinctively throw their arms up to brace themselves in a crash. This can cause significant force to be applied to the wrist bones, which are quite brittle.
Leg injuries are also very common in car accidents. Leg fractures often involve the tibia and fibula, two of the thickest and strongest bones in the body. They can be crushed with tremendous force when the legs are pressed against the dashboard or seat in a car accident. The femur, another bone in the leg, can also be fractured with a lot of force when it comes into contact with hard surfaces inside a vehicle during an accident.
The pelvic bones can also be injured in car accidents, as well as the collarbone. The latter is particularly prone to injuries since it runs across the upper rib cage, which can easily hit the steering wheel or dashboard. This can bruise or break the ribs, and should be treated as a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Lacerations, or cuts, are also a very common type of injury in car accidents. They might be caused by glass, sharp metal or other debris in the car, or even during a sudden stop or impact. Depending on the depth and location of the cut, it could damage muscle, blood vessels or hidden tissue underneath the skin. This type of injury can require extensive treatment and rehabilitation to help victims return to their normal lives.
Wrist injuries are also very common in car accidents, as passengers may place their hands on the dashboard or steering wheel in reaction to a crash. This can result in a significant force being applied to the delicate wrist bones, which can break or knock out of place.
If you see a person in a car accident who seems unconscious or has severe injuries to the head, neck, back, or leg, do not move them. This can prevent them from suffering a life-changing injury that would have otherwise been avoided by prompt medical treatment. You should also call emergency services and try to determine if the victim has suffered a delayed pain, which can be a sign of internal hemorrhaging. To check for this, press firmly on the skin near the fractured area to see if it blanches (whitens) or turns pink within 2 seconds.
Concussions or Traumatic Brain Injuries
The brain is responsible for almost all bodily functions, and it is extremely sensitive to physical trauma. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range in severity from mild to severe, and it may cause a variety of physical symptoms such as headaches, memory problems and difficulty concentrating. TBIs can also cause psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, or behavioral changes such as irritability and aggression.
TBIs can be caused by any accident that causes sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head, such as a car crash or a blow to the head in sports. Victims of car accidents are particularly susceptible to these injuries, because they can strike their heads against the dashboard, steering wheel or windshield. The force of the impact can also throw victims against the sides of their cars or other objects.
Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can ensure your safety, but it can also help document your injuries and create a medical record that is essential for your insurance claim.
Many types of injuries can result from car accidents, including closed head injuries like concussions and more lasting forms of brain damage. The brain can be affected in two ways: impact injuries and penetrating injuries. Impact injuries occur when the victim’s body strikes a part of their car, such as the steering wheel or side window. Penetrating injuries occur when an object, such as a bullet or piece of shrapnel, penetrates the skull and damages brain tissue.
Depending on the severity of your injuries and other factors, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses from an accident-related TBI. You can receive financial compensation for your medical bills, loss of income and other expenses. The best way to maximize your financial recovery is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. He or she can investigate the accident scene, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court if necessary. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Fractures
The force of a car accident can fracture bones throughout the body, including those in the arms and legs. Bone fractures from a crash often cause severe pain and stiffness, which can interfere with daily activities. These injuries can also lead to long recoveries, and in some cases may result in permanent disability.
The rapid back-and-forth movement of a car accident can also cause dislocations of joints in the neck, wrists, or hands. These injuries can result in severe symptoms that require medical treatment to reposition the joint and reduce swelling. If a shoulder or elbow is dislocated, your doctor may manually place the joint back in place, which may include surgery. A sprained ankle or wrist can also be painful, causing loss of mobility and discomfort. An orthopedic specialist can recommend physical therapy and a wrist splint to help manage the injury and speed healing.
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, it’s important to get a medical exam as soon as possible to detect and treat any hidden injuries. Even minor bruising can lead to internal damage, like a spleen or liver hemorrhage. You should take any abdominal bruising seriously, as well, because the seat belt could have hit your abdomen and caused internal injuries.
Other common injuries from car accidents include fractures of the femur and humerus (arm bone), fibula and tibia (leg bones), and rib fractures. These fractures occur due to the impact of a collision or when a leg is trapped against the dashboard, floor, or steering wheel during a wreck. In addition to surgery and immobilization, these injuries can require long recovery periods.
Facial bones are also susceptible to injury during a car accident due to the force of the blows from airbags or other interior objects. Your skull, cheekbones, and orbital bones (around the eyes) can fracture in a crash, especially if you hit your head on the dashboard or steering wheel.
While whiplash and broken bones are the most common injuries from car accidents, the force of a collision can also burn and disfigure you, as well as damage your internal organs. The most serious crashes can even lead to traumatic brain injury or paralysis, requiring care for the rest of your life that includes doctors’ visits, medications, therapy, and home and in-home care.