Car accidents are traumatic and can be life-changing, depending on the type and severity of injuries incurred. Victims may require multiple surgeries and long-term hospitalization, along with extensive medical care in case of severe injuries.
Often, the damage caused by a motor vehicle accident is beyond physical. It can negatively affect the victim’s quality of life, career, and financial position. The economic costs of car accidents are estimated to be approximately $897 for every person injured in the US. In addition to this, statistics also show that each year, nearly two million people on average suffer from permanent injuries after a car crash. Furthermore, about 1.6 million vehicle collisions occur due to cell phone use while driving.
Besides distracted driving, other causes of car accidents include speeding, reckless driving, vehicle design defects, weather conditions, drunk driving, and running red lights.
No matter what the cause may be, a severe car accident can change your life forever. Below is a list of the most common injuries sustained by car accident victims:
Brain Injuries
Upon impact with another vehicle, victims can suffer from brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in mild to severe concussions. It is a serious injury to the brain. TBI can impair the sensory and cognitive functions of the brain, thus negatively affecting the quality of life of the victim.
In addition to this, the recovery period is also long and slow. In some cases, recovery can be uncertain. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 30% of the deaths in car accidents are because of traumatic brain injuries.
Head Injuries
Car drivers and passengers are both at risk of head injuries if involved in high-speed crashes. Due to the speed, their heads may strike against the steering wheel, dashboard, and windows. Head injuries can often lead to loss of hearing, vision problems, and skull fractures.
Back or Spinal Cord Damage
Another common car accident injury is back or spinal cord damage. The impact of the collision and torque on the victim’s body can injure the spine. Any damage to the spine can significantly damage the nerves and muscles. Since the human body is not designed to bear heavy impact, collisions can take a toll on the back, resulting in partial and sometimes even total paralysis. The pain and disability, as a result of a spine injury, can hamper your movement and decrease your quality of life.
Neck injuries
A car accident can result in neck injuries. This type of injury is more common in rear-end collisions. A sudden movement can damage the neck muscle and ligaments. Neck injuries include whiplash, neck sprain, cervical radiculopathy, upper vertebral fractures, and dislocation fractures.
Whiplash is the most common of them all. This is a soft tissue injury that occurs when the force from the car collision jolts the head violently back and forth, similar to a whipping motion. Symptoms of a whiplash injury include severe pain in the neck, dizziness, headaches, back pain, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and stiffness in the neck. Treatments may include a combination of different therapies like massage therapy, physical and range-of-motion therapy, muscle relaxants, and surgery (if the damage is extensive).
Chest Injuries
The blunt force trauma from a car collision can affect the chest area, resulting in collapsed lungs and broken ribs, muscle strains, and contusions. Apart from this, internal bleeding in the chest area can be a serious problem following the accident. It requires immediate medical attention as delays can lead to death.
Abdominal and Pelvic Injuries
These injuries are common in head-on car collisions. However, the severity of abdominal and pelvic injuries depends on the seat position, weight, and height of the victim.
Leg and Knee Injuries
Victims of a head-on car collision are also vulnerable to leg and knee injuries. They may experience contusions and fractures in their legs and lower extremities, while common knee injuries include:
- ACL and PCL tears.
- Ruptured tendons of the knees.
- Joint dislocation.
- Hyper-extensions of the ligaments in the knees.
Due to the complex system of the nerves and tendons in the knees, these injuries can lead to severe mobility complications for the victim.
Shoulder Injuries
The shoulders of the car driver can also be injured in an accident. This happens from the absorption of the force after the driver braces their hands against the wheel. Due to the accident’s impact, the shoulders lock in position and receive excessive force, resulting in serious injuries.
Facial Scars and Injuries
Such injuries may be caused by impact with the wheel, dashboard, airbag or broken glass windows, and windshield. Disfiguring facial injuries may require multiple surgeries. In some situations, these injuries can leave a lasting scar on the victim’s face.
The Bottom Line
All these car accident injuries require immediate medical treatment, which, in some cases, can be costly, especially if your doctor advises surgery and hospitalization for months. These expenses can put an enormous burden on you and your family financially. Therefore, it is advisable to file a personal injury claim to get compensated for your losses and injuries.
As the legal process is complex, you should consider seeking professional help. Contact our team of experienced and compassionate North Carolina and South Carolina auto accident lawyers for legal representation. Our motor vehicle accident attorney can handle all aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
At the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we will do whatever we can in conformance with the law to get you full and fair compensation. Our goal is to get you fairly compensated to gain financial stability and get the best medical treatment needed to get back on the road to recovery.
Get in touch with our experienced motor vehicle accident attorney today to discuss your case and the injuries incurred.
