Common Car Accident Injuries
The U. S. Department of Transportations’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that about 6.1 million motor vehicle accidents occurred across the country in 2014 injuring nearly 2.3 million vehicle occupants, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and bicyclists.
While the injuries suffered in these accidents vary from bumps and bruises to permanently disabling injuries, there are some types of injuries that are more common in passenger vehicle crashes and collisions.
Head and Brain Injuries
Brain and head traumas, including those in pediatric passengers, can be among the most devastating and life-changing injuries caused by car accidents. These injuries are often caused when a passenger hits the dash, windshield, or side window. The impact from these strikes can cause traumatic brain injuries, cognitive impairment, vision problems, and hearing and speech difficulties. Some of the most common head and brain injuries include:
- Brain trauma
- Skull fractures
- Concussions
- Frontal Lobe Damage
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Facial bone fractures
Neck, Shoulder, and Back Injuries
The sudden and violent movement of the head and neck and torso can cause a wide range of injuries including some caused by the body’s impact with the seat, seatbelt, and airbags. Side-impacts and vehicle rollovers can also cause serious injury to the neck, shoulders, and back.
- Herniated Disk
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Whiplash
- Shoulder injury
Chest and Abdominal Injuries
The chest and abdomen, especially in side-impact crashes, can literally take quite a hit. Side-impacts can cause the door to intrude into the occupant space and even move the occupant into the console area. Blunt force trauma to the bones and organs of the chest and abdomen can cause serious injury including:
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Bone brakes
Lower extremity injuries
Front and side impacts can have a detrimental effect on the lower extremities as sometimes the engine block, side wall, or even another vehicle can intrude into the passenger area causing immediate, severe harm including:
- Crushed or broken hip, pelvis, leg, and foot bones
- Torn ligaments and cartilage
Other types of car accident injury include –
- Soft tissue injuries
- Emotional injury including Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Nerve damage
- Catastrophic injuries that lead to death
- Pediatric passenger injuries including pediatric brain damage
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. Contact us today for a free case review and to learn more.