On average, over 4 million people seek medical attention for injuries resulting from car accidents in America every year. This is according to a report by Association for Safe International Road Travel. While you may be lucky to walk out of a car accident scene unscathed, not all people are as fortunate.
Depending on the severity, most people will contact a car accident lawyer to help them with compensation if the accident was not their fault. However, even if it was, they may still need representation if the case goes to court. So it is always a good idea to speak to professionals about the next steps to take, as well as get the right assistance in treating car accident injuries.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries
One of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident is a concussion. This is a form of traumatic head injury (TBI) that can occur when the head suffers a blow or is suddenly jolted at impact. The injury usually happens as a result of the head moving back and forth in quick motion inside the skull.
Symptoms of a concussion are usually hard to identify immediately after an accident and are rarely visible in imaging scans. However, the injury has the potential to cause short-term or long-term symptoms when left untreated. If you have been involved in an auto crash, here are some of the signs you may have suffered concussion in a car accident and should seek medical attention.
Soft tissue type of injuries refers to injuries to the body’s connective tissues. These include muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When these tissues are stretched or torn, you may suffer whiplash, bruising, sprains, and strains. Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of injuries in a car accident and are usually easy to treat.
During a collision, your body may bump into parts of the vehicle with a force that your bones cannot withstand. Fractures are commonly classified into two; simple fractures and compound fractures.
Simple fractures involve breaking of the bones but do not create open wounds. These types of fractures are typically simple to treat and require a cast. On the other hand, compound fractures are complicated and involve broken bones that rupture the skin. These types of fractures can be complicated to treat and often require surgery to treat.
Most often, chest injuries in a car accident are bruises or contusions usually caused by seat belts or airbag deployment. However, it’s also possible to suffer severe chest injuries. Severe chest injuries usually affect drivers when they hit their chest against the steering wheel during a collision. Severe chest injuries often involve broken ribs, resulting in injuries to internal organs.
Internal bleeding occurs when the body’s blood vessels are severed. Ruptured blood vessels can lead to excessive internal bleeding or cause clots inside the vessels, cutting blood supply to other body parts. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening and calls for immediate medical intervention.
Scrapes and cuts are the most common type of injuries in an accident. During impact, sheet metal, glass, and other car components can cause cuts and scrapes when slammed against the skin. In rare circumstances, airbags may also cause scrapes and cuts during deployment. While some more severe cuts may require stitching, scrapes and cuts are easy to treat and may take only a few days to heal.
Sometimes your injuries after an accident may go beyond the physical injuries. Accident victims who suffer catastrophic injuries are also highly likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most common signs of PTSD include depression, anxiety, paranoia, vigilance, flashbacks, and hypervigilance.
Summary
Accidents can happen at any time and in any place. While you can prevent some by observing caution when traveling, some may be out of your control. The injuries listed above are some of the most common types of injuries you may suffer after an accident. Because some injuries may not show until after a few hours or days, it’s always advisable to consult an emergency room doctor immediately after an accident, even when you feel okay.
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