What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?

A look at common car accident injuries and when to get legal help

By Kimberly Lekman, Esq. | Reviewed by Canaan Suitt, J.D. | Last updated on May 28, 2024

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports millions of injured traffic accident victims in the United States every year. Common types of car accidents include rear-end collisions, T-bone or side-impact collisions, and head-on collisions.

Just as auto accidents can occur in any location and countless circumstances, car accident injuries can affect any part of the body. However, certain injuries are more common than others. The following overview will help you become familiar with the most frequently reported types of car accident injuries.

1. Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue damage includes any injury to muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Sprains, scrapes, and bruises all fall into this category.

Soft tissue injuries are among the most frequently occurring car accident injuries. Although it might sound inconsequential, soft tissue damage can cause acute discomfort and progressively worsen. Numbness, stiffness, and pain are symptoms that might show up immediately. Other symptoms, such as headaches and decreased range of motion, may only show up days or months after the injury.

2. Whiplash and Other Head and Neck Injuries

Even though newer cars have airbags and other safety standards, head injuries still occur in many car accidents. Head injuries are among the most severe car collision injuries, especially when traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs. Although you may recover quickly from a mild concussion, more severe brain injuries can cause lasting cognitive issues.

One of the most well-known types of car accident injuries is known as whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to neck muscles and ligaments caused by rapid back-and-forth neck movements. It’s called whiplash because the neck’s snapping motion resembles the cracking of a whip.

Whiplash injuries occur most frequently in rear-end collisions. Although whiplash is a common injury, individuals recover from it very differently. Some people fully recover from whiplash within a few weeks of gentle exercise and pain medication. However, other people may suffer the lasting consequences of whiplash for years. Chronic neck pain may require ongoing physical therapy and medical care.

3. Back and Chest Injuries

The impact of a high-speed car crash can cause spinal cord injuries. This type of injury can be devastating when it causes paralysis or partial paralysis. In less severe cases, back injuries can cause nerve damage, back pain, and decreased sensation in the extremities.

Like back injuries, chest injuries also vary in severity. When a driver’s body suffers an impact with the steering wheel, it can cause rib fractures, lung damage, or other broken bones. These injuries can also result when a seatbelt engages and stops a passenger or driver’s forward motion.

Seat belt injuries often take the form of internal injuries or pelvic damage. If you feel any soreness or pain after a car accident, it’s wise to seek medical attention immediately. Prompt treatment can help prevent the progression of internal organ damage or internal bleeding.

4. Arm and Leg Injuries

When a car sustains a T-bone collision or other side-impact crash, it may cause injuries to the arms and legs on that side of the vehicle. Arm and leg injuries can be particularly painful. They include knee injuries like torn cartilage, ankle sprains, broken wrists, and more.

5. Fractures

Motorcyclists often suffer more severe injuries than car drivers. Because motorcyclists do not have the protective cage an automobile offers, they can be thrown from their vehicle and onto the road. Therefore, motorcycle riders commonly sustain broken bones and ligament damage in accidents.

6. Abrasions and Road Rash

Road rash is a frequently occurring injury for motorcyclists. Road rash occurs when an accident victim is dragged along a road and suffers skin abrasions. The severity of these abrasions depends on how far the individual skidded along the road and what they were wearing at the time. Any exposed skin will likely suffer abrasions or lacerations because it might have had direct contact with the road.

7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Involvement in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatizing experience. This trauma does not go away quickly for some car accident victims. It can then develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With this disorder, car accident victims may become unable to perform their regular daily tasks. They may also relive the accident when certain triggering events occur. If you believe you or a loved one might have PTSD, it would be wise to seek counseling.

When to Contact a Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a car accident injury, most car accident lawyers provide free case evaluations to let you know how much your car accident claim might be worth.

With your car accident lawyer’s help, you can seek reimbursement for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and property damage. If your accident involved serious injuries, substantial property damage, or other complications, a personal injury attorney can help sort through the details, file the necessary legal paperwork, and track important deadlines. Further, your lawyer and law firm staff can gather medical records and other evidence to support your settlement claim with insurance companies or in litigation.

Since personal injury attorneys often provide free consultations, you have nothing to lose by scheduling a first meeting with an auto accident attorney. Visit the Super Lawyers directory to find an experienced car accident lawyer in your area.

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