Common Car Crash Injuries: Understanding the Impact

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving individuals with various injuries. Often times, these injuries can have a significant and lasting impact on our lives. Here are some of the most common car crash injuries motorists experience.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Back and spinal cord injuries are among a car crash's most serious and life-altering consequences. The spine is a complex structure, and any damage to it can result in long-term disabilities. Such injuries often occur in high-impact collisions, where the forces involved can cause the spine to twist or compress unnaturally.

Back injuries can manifest in various forms, from minor muscle strains to severe fractures of the vertebrae. These injuries may lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and even paralysis. Spinal cord injuries, on the other hand, can have devastating consequences. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paraplegia (loss of function in the lower limbs) or quadriplegia (loss of function in both the upper and lower limbs).

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are another, more common result of most collisions. These injuries primarily affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons, but sometimes in a less permanent way or extent.  “Whiplash” is a well-known soft tissue injury that occurs when a person's neck is suddenly jolted forward and backward, causing strain to the soft tissues in the neck.

While soft tissue injuries may not always be immediately apparent, they can cause long-term pain and discomfort. Symptoms may include stiffness, soreness, and limited range of motion. It is crucial to seek medical attention after a car crash, even if you don't experience immediate symptoms, as soft tissue injuries may become more pronounced over time, and harder to correct if time is not taken sooner than later to address them.

Scrapes and Cuts

Scrapes and cuts, also known as abrasions and lacerations, are among the most minor, but most common, car crash injuries. While they may seem less severe than other injuries, they can still lead to complications if not properly treated.

These injuries often result from contact with broken glass, sharp metal, or other debris inside or certain parts of the interior of the vehicle during a collision. It's essential to clean and disinfect these wounds to prevent infection. Deep lacerations may require sutures to aid in the healing process.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is a silent and potentially life-threatening consequence of car accidents. It occurs when blunt force trauma damages blood vessels or organs inside the body. Since the bleeding occurs internally, it may not be immediately apparent, and symptoms may not manifest until hours or even days after the accident.

Common signs of internal bleeding include abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, and unexplained bruising. Severe cases of internal bleeding can lead to shock or organ failure. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately after ANY car crash to rule out any internal injuries.

Fractures

Fractures, or broken bones, are frequently seen in vehicle wrecks, especially in high-impact collisions. Bones can fracture in various ways, including simple, compound, and stress fractures. Common fractures resulting from car crashes include broken arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. Compound fractures, where the broken bone pierces through the skin, are particularly severe and require immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of infection.

Fractures can lead to long-term complications, including chronic pain and impaired mobility. Treatment typically involves immobilization with casts, splints, or, in some cases, surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the broken bone. And unfortunately, the impact of these injuries goes beyond the physical pain and suffering experienced by victims. Car crash injuries can result in significant emotional and financial burdens as well.

Emotional Impact

The emotional toll of car crash injuries is often less visible, but just as profound. Victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. Experiencing or sometimes even just witnessing a traumatic event like a car accident can result in lasting emotional damage that require therapy and counseling for recovery.

Summary

When car crash injuries occur due to another driver's negligence, victims have the option to, and SHOULD seek, legal recourse through personal injury claims. Higinbotham & Higinbotham, PLLC can absolutely help you by navigating the complexities of personal injury cases and ensuring that its clients, the innocent victims, receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us to schedule an appointment today !!