Car accidents are some of the most common types of accidental injuries. People will file at least one vehicle collision claim every 17 or so years. The injuries that result from an accident can also vary, as the severity of the crash, the location of the collision, and the protection offered by the car can often determine how serious the damage is. Here are a few of the most common types of car accident injuries by area of the body.
Head
Head injuries can be some of the most dangerous types, particularly if externally a person shows no damage (closed head injury). Concussions can easily occur if a person’s brain is jostled around and strikes the inside of the skull during an accident. They can happen without breaking the skin over the skull, which could make it hard to detect without the determination of a medical professional. However, concussed people often display erratic behavior such as confusion, lethargy, memory loss, headache, dizziness, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and even temporary loss of consciousness. If the crash breaks the skin, people could also experience lacerations from broken glass or bruises or fractures to the skull if the airbag didn’t deploy fast enough.
Neck
One of the most common types of injuries even in a simple bumper-to-bumper collision is whiplash. It happens when a person’s neck moves in a rapid back-and-forth movement. The muscles can’t adapt to the change fast enough and end up being strained in the process. It most often occurs in rear-end car accidents, and symptoms can occur hours or even days after the collision. Signs of whiplash include neck pain, headaches, and stiffness.
Chest/Torso
Chest injuries can be common, especially bruising where the seat belt may have dug into a person’s skin. Particularly severe collisions could even break ribs and cause serious internal damage, such as when their chests collide with the steering wheels.
Limbs
Arms and legs are particularly vulnerable in an accident because arms are free to move around the space of the car during an accident and legs are restricted to one location. If a person’s arm gets caught awkwardly when the car rolls, it could easily break. Likewise, if the individual’s knees hit the dashboard or the seats in front of them, the patella could shatter.
Car accidents can be extremely dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a collision, make sure you have an experienced Raleigh auto accident attorney on your side. Contact us or fill out our online form to get a case started today.