The most common injuries caused by a car accident crash

Car accidents can be a pretty traumatic experience but if you’re able to walk away unhurt, then you are one of the lucky ones and should thank your lucky stars.

Every year thousands of people are injured and killed in accidents involving motor vehicles.

Advances in safety designs have meant that cars have undoubtedly become safer, but injuries are still a common result of a traffic collision.

Here are some of the most common injuries sustained.

Head injuries

One of the most common injuries suffered by drivers and passengers is a closed head injury. These can range from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury. Even when there is no physical sign of trauma, such as cuts and bruises, the brain is at risk of being jostled inside the skull because of the impact of a car crash; and symptoms may not be detected until sometime after.  This is why it’s vital that the victim of a closed head injury isn’t moved immediately after a collision; due to the fact that further damage could be caused.

Neck injuries and whiplash

Another injury commonly associated with a car crash is damage to the neck. This can occur in more mild forms, such as whiplash and neck strain, but also as more serious injuries like cervical radiculopathy and disc injury; causing more long-term or permanent injury. Quite often you won’t notice the effects of this type of injury until some while after the accident, so it’s always worth getting immediate medical attention as soon as you can following a crash.

Back injuries

Injuries such as disc injuries, thoracic spine injuries, lumbar radiculopathy, and lumbar spine injuries are a common result of a car crash. Like neck injuries, sometimes the symptoms of even the most serious back injuries can take some time to show up after an accident, and just as often a back injury can cause long-term pain and discomfort.

Facial damage

The face is a very exposed part of the body in any car accident. The steering wheel, dashboard, windscreen, side window, car seats or shattered glass are all in close proximity and can cause damage to the head and face area. These injuries range in severity from scrapes and bruises, to laceration, fractures and even dental damage. Even a device such as an airbag, which is designed to protect both driver and passenger, can cause damage to the face depending on the speed and ferocity of the collision.

Internal injuries

The impact inflicted on the body during an accident can cause internal injuries such as, damage to bowels, kidneys, spleen, liver, lungs, heart or aorta. Fractured ribs are also quite common, puncturing lungs and other organs.  Internal injuries are not always easy to detect but can be life threatening. Even if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort following an accident, the damage can still be there. Make sure you receive medical expert attention as soon as you can in order to prevent any further injuries developing.

Psychological damage and stress

The damage caused by a road traffic accident isn’t always physical. After serious car accidents, involving severe injuries and even loss of life, drivers and passengers may suffer short or long-term psychological injuries such as shock or emotional distress, and may even develop conditions that closely resemble post traumatic stress disorder. The families of car crash victims can also be affected following a serious road traffic accident, meaning that several lives are turned upside down in the blink of an eye.

This article was written by writer and blogger Matthew Crist in conjunction with Minnesota wrongful death law experts TSR Injury Law.