Most Common Car Accident Injuries

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Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Being involved in a car wreck is every driver’s fear while on the road. They can cause devastating damage, injuries and even fatalities. Here are some of the most common types of injury resulting from a car wreck. The severity of these is affected greatly by the circumstances of the wreck, such as speed and where the vehicle was struck.

Common types of injuries caused by car wrecks include:

Head injuries such as concussions, other traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures and bleeding all can have long-lasting and life-changing effects.

Facial injuries are also exceedingly frequent and some may require plastic surgery. There are many things inside a car, like the steering wheel, which cause serious damage upon impact.

Burns and lacerations are common and can have the potential to be life-threatening. There are many items inside a car that can cut or burn the vehicle occupants such as broken glass, projectiles and fire caused by gasoline. Burns may require skin grafts. Either of these injuries can cause significant scarring.

Broken bones are also one of the most frequent car accident injuries. Besides limiting mobility they may also require surgery to repair.

Internal bleeding may occur given the force of impact and is an especially dangerous injury. It can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Soft tissue injuries happen when muscles, tendons and ligaments become stretched or torn in a wreck. This can cause significant and long-lasting pain.

Psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder or depression may occur after a distressing situation such as a car wreck and are just as real as a physical injury. These conditions can have profound effects on day to day function

Neck and back injuries like whiplash, herniated discs, spinal cord injuries and more occur easily due to the force of the collision and can cause lasting, debilitating pain. If damage to the spinal cord is severe, there can be permanent loss of sensation or paralysis to the extremities.

One of the most important things to remember is that the full extent of injuries may not be apparent immediately after a car crash. Being in a stressful situation like a crash can trigger excess adrenaline to be produced in the body, which can mask pain. Certain types of injuries may also take time to develop or may seem less serious than they are. For example, a headache after a car wreck could seem like a logical result of stress but it may actually be a symptom of a traumatic brain injury.

After a car wreck, the occupants of the vehicle should be examined by a medical professional even if they have no significant pain or other indications of injury. This is important for their safety and may become critical to any ensuing legal action. If injuries were not documented, it can be difficult to prove that they were a direct result of the wreck.

The professionals at Hessig & Pohl have helped many people recover after their car crashes. Should you or a loved one be injured in a car wreck, contact them today for a free consultation.