In some cases, a car ride can result in a crash that causes severe injuries. Not only is this a nerve-wracking experience in the moment, but handling the effects afterward can also be difficult. It’s easier to avoid these harsh injuries from escalating further when you know how they’re caused and how you can potentially avoid them. Here are some of the most common car crash injuries and tips for what to do after the accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Many people who experience auto injuries often have damage to the connective tissue in their body, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. When you collide with another vehicle or object, your body responds by moving more quickly than natural. This can put intense strain on your muscles and other soft tissue.
Though it’s not as extreme as breaking your bones, it can still provide long-lasting pain, especially if you don’t seek immediate medical attention. Whiplash is one of the most common tissue injuries, and it can cause pain from your neck down to your upper back.
Cuts and Scrapes
During a crash, any loose items inside of your vehicle, like books, phones, cups, and purses, could potentially hit you. Depending on the size of the items and the speed at which they travel, they could cause small cuts or scrapes, or you may lose blood and require stitches. You can also receive cuts or scrapes when the airbags quickly deploy and strike your body. If your windshield or window breaks, you could also sustain cuts from broken glass.
Head or Brain Injuries
You could incur several types of head or brain injuries during a car accident. Stopping suddenly or being jerked when you hit an object can cause your head to suddenly move unnaturally, which can result in a closed head injury. This means the fluid and tissue in your head was damaged because of sudden movement or impact from an object. A closed head injury usually results in a concussion if it isn’t too severe. More severe closed head injuries can possibly lead to brain damage.
Outer head wounds occur when your head harshly hits objects in the car, like a steering wheel or side window, resulting in light or deep cuts, bruising, or scrapes on your head. Visit a doctor right after your wreck to avoid long-term issues like sleeping problems and continuous headaches.
Chest Injuries
Chest injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. You may get pushed around during a wreck. As this happens, your chest may hit your car at high impact, causing significant damage, like breaking your ribs. Chest injuries are most common for drivers because they collide directly with the steering wheel during impact.
Though seat belts keep you safe during your drive, they can bruise your chest in the event of a collision. When the airbags deploy, they may quickly hit your chest, causing bruising or other internal injuries.
Leg and Arm Injuries
Similar to how your head can get thrown around during a wreck, your legs and arms can also do the same. It can cause front passengers’ knees to violently crash into the dashboard in front of them. Backseat passengers’ legs may also crash harshly into the back of the seats at high impact, causing bruising or bone breakage.
The wreck may also cause your arms to flail around, which can cause them to hit objects such as the side of the door, resulting in spraining or breaking bones. Some symptoms from arm and leg injuries may not start to physically form for a few weeks to a month, which means you should see a doctor right after your wreck to keep these injuries from worsening.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Psychological Injuries
It’s not just physical injuries that can occur after a car accident. Intense car crashes can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, which may make you have flashbacks or feelings of guilt. You may also feel anxious to drive or ride in a car again. These mental health issues may make ordinary tasks more difficult and overwhelming to complete. Seeking treatment may be an effective option to help you mentally recover from the traumatizing events in the accident.
Ways To Avoid Car Accident Injuries
Image via Flickr by Loimere
Car accidents aren’t easily avoidable, especially when they’re no fault of your own. There are still methods you can follow to reduce the chances of getting in a car wreck and receiving significant injuries, including:
- Obey traffic signs: Pay attention to posted speed limits and other traffic signs, and follow them carefully to keep you from colliding with other objects or vehicles.
- Perform regular maintenance on your vehicle: Some car accidents occur when the vehicle malfunctions due to problems like faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or broken headlights. Perform regular checkups on your vehicle to avoid this.
- Wear your seatbelt: If you aren’t wearing a seatbelt, you may be ejected from your car or thrown around in the interior. These can cause long-lasting injuries or even death.
What To Do After an Accident
After an accident, you should visit your doctor and receive a checkup to determine if you’ve received any significant injuries. After the medical examination, you might want to call an auto accident attorney right away to get help negotiating a settlement with your or the other party’s insurance company. Reasons you should consult with a car accident lawyer include:
- Accident lawyers take the time to gather and analyze your accident reports and medical records so you don’t have to.
- They will interview witnesses and reconstruct the scene of the accident to prove you’re not at fault.
- Your lawyers keep you aware of all statutory deadlines and prepare you for any potential court appearances.
Car accidents can be scary and overwhelming, especially when dealing with the aftermath of it all. At Alvarez Law, we’re here to make sure the process following your wreck is less stressful by helping you receive the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us or sign up for a free consultation today to learn more about how our dedicated team of attorneys can assist you.
The post Most Common Injuries From Car Accidents appeared first on Alvarez Law Office | Injury Law Firm in Indiana and Illinois.