According to the latest reports from the Florida Institute for Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, between January 2023 and June 29, 2023, there were 78,795 traffic accidents resulting in injuries, with 120,205 injured individuals. These statistics only cover the first six months of the year.
Among all the difficulties a person can face in a traffic accident, one of the worst is the injuries. These injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the force of the impact. Such terrible wounds can cause lifelong damage or even death.
Now, let us explore some common injuries from car accidents. These are some of the most common, but sadly, there is a wide variety of them.
It is essential to seek legal advice from a professional traffic accident lawyer if you have been in a car crash and present common car accident injuries. They can guide you through the claims and compensation process, helping you recover with peace of mind.
Anyone affected by a vehicle in a traffic accident has the right to have their medical expenses covered, as well as any other damage to their property or personal safety. To learn more, call 855-DOLOR-55.
What are the most common car accident injuries?
Multiple types of injuries can occur after a traffic accident, with the most dangerous ones involving the brain, head, and spinal cord. Accidents affecting these organs can significantly impact a person's mobility and motor functions and potentially result in other disabilities in the future. Next, we will tell you about the most common car accident injuries and their consequences.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force impacts the head, causing harm to the brain. This can happen from a blow, bump, or jolt to the head when an object penetrates the skull or the brain is forcefully shaken. Not all head impacts result in TBI, but the risk always exists. Car crashes are one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries due to the high-speed collisions and sudden movements involved in traffic accidents.
TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) can vary in severity, with some causing temporary difficulties in brain function, such as problems with thinking, movement, communication, or behavior. More severe injuries can lead to long-lasting disabilities or even death.
Head injuries can be classified as penetrating or non-penetrating, depending on whether the injury directly damages the brain tissue or not. It is essential to recognize that there can also be secondary brain injuries that occur after the initial trauma, either gradually over time or appearing days later.
Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial after a traumatic brain injury. If the injury was caused by negligence, you can rely on a car crash lawyer to assist you in claiming compensation and obtaining the necessary resources to cope with these devastating injuries.
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury refers to damage to the bundle of cells and nerves responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the body. It is one of the most common car accident injuries and can result from direct injury to the spinal cord or damage to the surrounding tissue and vertebrae. Spinal cord injuries can lead to temporary or permanent changes in movement, sensation, and bodily functions, affecting various aspects of a person's life.
The severity of spinal cord injuries can vary depending on the location and extent of the damage. They can be classified as complete or incomplete. In incomplete injuries, some communication between the spinal cord and brain remains, allowing for partial sensory functions and muscle control below the injury site. However, complete injuries result in the loss of sensory and motor functions below the injury site.
Spinal cord injuries involve both immediate primary damage and secondary damage caused by inflammation and swelling, which can lead to further complications. Understanding the type and extent of the injury is crucial for determining the prognosis and appropriate treatment options for common injuries from car accidents.
Neck Injuries
Another of the most common car accident injuries that can occur after a traffic accident is a neck injury. This is because during a traffic accident, a person's neck can suddenly jerk forward and backward, and since the seat belt restrains the body, the movement can be even more dangerous. If the crash is from the side, the movement of the neck will be from side to side, which can cause different ailments.
The neck is a vulnerable structure that consists of many small bones and vertebrae. It is also part of the spinal column. It is common for some of these bones to be violently shaken by the force of an impact, leading to fractures, dislocations, or inflammation, resulting in various neck ailments that restrict head and neck movement.
Neck injuries can include damage to the cervical region, where a small vertebra may become displaced or dislocated. This can have consequences since vital spinal nerves pass through the vertebrae. Other common injuries from car accidents affect cervical discs located near the neck and back. Inflammation and strains of the muscles near the neck can cause severe pain in the joints, tendons, and all the structures involved in comfortable head movement from side to side or up and down.
Other consequences of neck injuries in a traffic accident can be more severe, such as fracturing the neck or damaging critical areas of the spinal cord.
Broken Bones
Another of the most common car accident injuries is broken bones, undoubtedly. Due to the force of the collision and impact during an accident, the driver and occupants can be violently thrown against the interior of the vehicle, resulting in broken bones.
Depending on the force of the impact, bone fractures can be severe or minor, and the recovery time for a person who has suffered a fracture also depends on that. Some fractures are much easier to treat, while others require months of rehabilitation for an extremity to function normally.
In some cases, even with appropriate rehabilitation, the most severe fractures involve vital organs such as the brain and heart. Therefore, skull fractures or rib fractures are particularly dangerous. In the worst cases, a bone fracture could cause internal lacerations in an accident victim.
That is why seeking medical attention after an accident is always recommended. Even if the pain may seem minor initially, there are hidden common car accident injuries that only a professional can diagnose. Without proper treatment, these injuries can have grave consequences.
Burns
Due to gasoline's combustible nature and the prevalence of vehicles running on this fuel, fires following a strong impact near the gas tank are a significant concern in traffic accidents.
When the force of the collision is severe, it can lead to fuel leakage and subsequent ignition, resulting in fires and burns. Therefore, burns are a frequent and distressing injury that individuals may experience in the aftermath of a traffic accident.
The severity of burns can vary, ranging from mild to moderate or severe, depending on the degree of tissue damage and the extent of the burn area. Prompt medical attention is vital to assess and treat the burns properly. Depending on the degree of the burn injury, it can be very painful, so immediate medical attention is required. Burns can have terrible consequences, from small skin imperfections that last a lifetime to severe injuries to the main organs.
Whiplash
Whiplash is also one of the most common car accident injuries, often occurring in rear-end collisions. It happens when the head and neck undergo a sudden, forceful movement of being jerked backward and then forward, leading to strain and damage to the neck's soft tissues. The rapid acceleration and deceleration forces put significant stress on the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons, resulting in various symptoms and discomfort.
One of the primary symptoms of whiplash is neck pain, which can range from mild to severe. The pain is often accompanied by stiffness in the neck, making it challenging to move or turn the head freely. Headaches are also common, ranging from tension headaches to migraines. Dizziness or vertigo may occur.
It is important to note that certain cars may lack headrests on their seats, making them even more dangerous for passengers and drivers. Headrests play a crucial role in preventing or minimizing whiplash injuries by providing support and helping to stabilize the head and neck during sudden impacts. Without proper headrests, there is an increased risk of severe neck movement and subsequent soft tissue damage.
Psychological/PTSD
Some of the most common car accident injuries are not visible; they are mental and psychological injuries. All humans need to take diligent care of their mental health. Traffic accidents can bring about different psychological consequences and other mental disorders.
Some mental disorders that can occur after a traffic accident include post-traumatic disorder, various syndromes, personality disorders, or dementia. A head injury can potentially lead to changes in mood and personality. It is also possible to experience symptoms of neurotic disorders, dissociative disorders, panic disorders, and phobias.
All of this occurs as a response to the stress caused by the accident, as the traumatic experience and fear of having lived through it have not yet been overcome. Various symptoms may result from a highly stressful situation in life, such as depression and other difficulties in daily functioning.
Of course, these are just some of the possible mental health conditions that can arise from a traffic accident. There are many others, and they will depend on each individual. In any case, if you have experienced a traffic accident and are feeling that your mental health is not stable, please get in touch with a healthcare professional who can guide you on what actions to take to recover your well-being.
Always seek medical attention
Regardless of the circumstances of the accident, the first thing you should always do is seek medical attention. Your health is the most important thing. Only a healthcare professional can determine your condition after a car accident injury.
Do not risk your life or take lightly any discomfort that may manifest following a traffic accident. Due to the force and impact involved in collisions, many common car accident injuries may not be visible at first glance and may require thorough medical examinations and follow-ups.
It is also essential that once a diagnosis has been made and all the necessary medical examinations have been performed, you diligently follow all medical recommendations.
In the case of significant common car accident injuries and severe injuries, it is always essential to have legal representation to help you receive all the deserved compensation in the event of being injured in a car accident. These accidents can cause profoundly serious injuries that could affect the financial well-being of any victim. An attorney specialized in vehicular accidents knows precisely what type of compensation each injury requires because they have experience and have worked on cases where similar injuries have occurred.
Contact a Miami Lakes Car Accident Injury Attorney
Legal expertise in Miami Lakes is crucial because sometimes companies or individuals do not want to take responsibility for the injuries they have caused after a traffic accident. Therefore, it is always necessary to have an ally who can fight for you and take care of all the complex procedures needed to receive adequate compensation.
Our attorneys at The Ward Law Group will do everything possible to ensure that a person involved in a traffic accident and sustaining injuries receives full coverage for their medical expenses and other compensations applicable.
We are available to assist you 24/7. Call us at 855-DOLOR-55. Our dedicated team will pay the utmost attention to your case. We want to take care of you, protect you, and ensure that your rights are respected in the event of a traffic accident injury. Contact us for a free consultation!