Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents and Their Long-Term Effects
| May 8th, 2023
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of modern life in the United States, with approximately 2.1 million injuries and 42,000 deaths resulting from automotive accidents in 2020. The resulting physical and emotional injuries can be catastrophic and life-altering, requiring extensive, ongoing medical treatment and dramatically impacting a victim’s quality of life.
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury commonly sustained in car accidents, particularly in rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck and head are thrust forward and backward suddenly, which causes damage to the soft tissues and cervical spine.
Immediate symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. However, whiplash can cause numerous long-term effects that require ongoing treatment, including chronic pain, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
- Broken Bones
Broken bones are another common injury in car accidents, ranging from simple fractures to complex, multiple breaks.
Acute symptoms of broken bones include pain, swelling, and deformity at the injury site. Long-term effects include limited mobility, arthritis, and chronic pain, limiting your ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs are serious and potentially life-altering injuries that can result from car accidents. Symptoms can vary widely, from mild concussion symptoms like headache, dizziness, and confusion to severe cases involving loss of consciousness and memory problems.
TBIs can also result in numerous long-term issues, including chronic headaches and difficulty concentrating. They may also cause emotional and behavioral changes, such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety. TBIs can also result in long-term physical disabilities that limit your ability to work, drive, or engage in social activities.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur in car accidents when the force of impact causes the spine to twist, bend or compress beyond its normal range of motion. This can happen when the body is thrown forward in a collision, and the head and neck are suddenly jerked, causing the spinal column to twist or bend unnaturally.
Spinal cord injuries can also result from direct trauma to the back or neck during the accident, such as when a car occupant’s back hits a hard object like a steering wheel or dashboard.
Symptoms can include paralysis, loss of sensation, and difficulty breathing, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Long-term damage can include permanent paralysis, chronic pain, and a decreased life expectancy, profoundly affecting your independence.
- Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, are common in car accidents. These injuries occur when the body is jolted or thrown suddenly during a collision, causing damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Soft tissue injuries can be mild, causing minor discomfort and swelling, or more severe, resulting in significant pain and restricted movement. Long-term effects include chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, impacting your ability to work and engage in daily activities.
Challenges Injured Car Accident Victims Face
Car accidents can result in severe injuries that can impact victims physically, emotionally, and financially. Seeking prompt medical attention after an accident is crucial to ensure the best possible outcome and to reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Recovering from these injuries can be a long and challenging process that often requires ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. Your physical injuries, such as head trauma and spinal cord injuries, may require extended hospitalization and rehabilitation.
These injuries can also result in emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You may face significant medical expenses, lost wages, and the need to modify your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries.
A timely settlement can provide essential support as you recover from an accident. It can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and modifications you require for daily life.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
California car accident lawyers play a critical role in helping car accident victims secure compensation for their injuries. We can help navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for fair compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Berg Injury Lawyers for a free case review if you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to fighting for your rights and helping you get the financial compensation you deserve.
