Are you wondering what type of car accident injuries you can incur after an automobile crash?
As many as 3 million Americans receive non-fatal injuries on the road each year. Not every injury poses a serious threat to your health, but they may entitle you to compensation from the other party.
People can suffer from a wide variety of medical conditions from an accident, but lawyers see several common ones come up in personal injury cases. So, what are these injuries?
Keep reading below to learn more!
Whiplash
Whiplash can happen even in minor car accidents. As such, it constitutes one of the most common types of car accident injuries.
When you get into an auto crash, the impact exerts a force on your body. Your neck then whips back and forth, overextending itself and damaging your ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Most often, whiplash occurs in rear-end accidents, though you can also get it from other activities.
People who suffer from whiplash often don’t feel symptoms right away. As a result, they sometimes walk away from the accident believing they incurred no injuries at all. 24-48 hours later, the symptoms start to show. These include neck pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion. You might feel aches in your arms or shoulders as well.
Some people also suffer from headaches, sleep disturbance, fatigue, depression, or difficulty concentrating.
If you develop whiplash symptoms or other neck pain, speak with your physician as soon as possible. Your doctor will rule out other problems, such as broken bones, and give you advice for recovery.
Broken Bones
The impact of a car accident can cause your bones to break. Depending on the impact, you might break your arms, legs, ribs, nose, or any other bones.
In particular, many people break ribs during car accidents. If your body gets thrown up against the side of the car, your ribs may absorb the impact and break. They can take a long time to heal and result in a lot of pain.
So, if you experience extreme pain in any part of your body, see your doctor and find out if you have a fracture. Symptoms of broken bones include hearing a snap or a crack, experiencing pain and swelling, and seeing crookedness in the affected area. You will feel pain whenever you put pressure on the area or try to move it.
Head Injuries
Because your body whips around during an accident, you might hit your head. If this occurs, you might suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Your brain floats in fluid in your skull, surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid. If you hit your head, it can crash against the side of your skull, giving you a concussion. Some common symptoms of concussions include loss of consciousness, confusion, difficulty speaking or walking, dizziness, and memory loss.
You might also suffer from brain damage.
If you have hit your head, you should seek the advice of a physician as soon as you can. Traumatic brain injuries, when left untreated, can cause extensive challenges for you. Should you have a head injury, you will need to limit certain activities, such as staring at screens or exercising.
Internal Bleeding
External bleeding serves as a common feature in car accidents. Yet, even if you don’t have any external bleeding, you might lose blood inside your body.
Internal bleeding needs to get addressed right away. In fact, internal bleeding can become life-threatening. Getting to a good doctor can save your life. So, if you suspect you have internal bleeding, call an ambulance and go to the nearest hospital.
People with internal bleeding might experience dizziness, loss of consciousness, weakness or pain on one side of the body, changes in vision, or the inability to chew or swallow. If you have it, you could also have nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.
Herniated Disc
Herniated discs happen when one or more vertebrae in your spine move out of place or burst. Because of the force of a car accident, many people suffer from herniated discs.
Some common herniated disc symptoms include pain or tingling in an arm or leg. You might experience numbness in your legs, arms, hands, or feet as well. Over time, you might experience increased muscle weakness, making it difficult for you to walk or hold items.
Herniated discs should be diagnosed by a physician, so make sure you get the proper treatment if you think you might have one.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs whenever anyone has experienced a terrifying event. Many people associate it with war veterans or people who have undergone rare forms of mental duress. It can also happen after accidents, whether you’ve been in one or witnessed it.
People with PTSD struggle to recover from traumatic experiences on an emotional level. They may have flashbacks to the event that include intense physical and emotional reactions. Often, these happen after someone experiences a trigger that reminds them of the incident. PTSD sufferers may have nightmares, heightened anxiety, and even depression.
People who have PTSD may find the services of a psychiatrist or counselor helpful as they seek to return to their everyday lives.
Have You Suffered from Car Accident Injuries?
Car accident injuries can cause severe pain and become the source of financial and physical duress. To safeguard your health, you should prioritize getting medical care after an accident, even if it’s just to make sure you didn’t suffer unknown injuries. The sooner you get the care, the better your chances for a full recovery.
Still, medical bills can cause people to rack up unexpected expenses. If you find yourself injured in a car accident, though, hope exists. Under U.S. law, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and recuperate your expenses.
Ready to win money for your injuries? Our team wants to help you! Contact us today to learn more!
