Car accidents make up a great number of injuries in the United States. There are around six million car accidents reported in the US every year. Around 30,000 of these are fatal, while about two million result in injuries. It can be devastating to see how much damage car accidents cause. The economic cost alone reaches an astonishing $300 billion every year. This is around $900 for every person alive in the US.
Although every car accident is unique and different, common themes can be identified throughout all of them. We will take a look at what some of the most common injuries are that are incurred by cars.
Injuries Affecting the Head and Back
The most serious injury due to car accidents is a head injury. If you’re driving fast, you have the high likelihood to hit your head against various areas of the car. The steering wheel, windows, and dashboard are some of the most common strike points. Head injuries can easily lead to traumatic brain injuries, including everything from a concussion to a long-term coma. These kind of injuries may require extensive medical treatment, along with extended care. You also run the risk of getting a fractured skull, hearing loss, and vision issues.
Back injuries are also common. The spinal cord can succumb to massive nerve damage. This can lead to having less feeling and control in your extremities and appendages. The most severe forms of spinal damage result in being paralyzed forever.
Herniated discs are another common car accident injury. While this will not be as serious as the others, it may still produce significant issues. You may experience strange tingling sensations throughout your body. You may feel like your muscles are weaker. You may also have unexpected pain in your arms and legs.
Injuries Affecting the Chest and Neck
Whiplash is the most common injury received in automobile accidents. Jerking motions can tear ligaments and strain muscles. Rear-end collisions are most likely to lead to this type of car accident injury.
Whiplash affects everyone differently. The severity of the injury will depend on what the accident was like. It will also depends on a victim’s health at the time. The common side effects of whiplash are neck pain and mild swelling. It may also be difficult to speak for a while.
The more severe injuries involve direct physical chest trauma. Broken bones and collapsed lungs can occur. If you have a heart condition, you may experience cardiac arrest after a car accident. If you hit your chest hard enough, you may have internal bleeding in the area. This could be serious and require prompt medical attention. Other less likely, but possible, injuries can be internal organ damage, along with damage to the pelvis and abdomen. If you experience any of these, you will need to see a medical professional immediately.
Other injuries you may get from a car accident include ones affecting your extremities. If you are walking down a street and a car strikes you, there can be significant arm, hand, leg, and foot damage.
Non-physical injuries can be just as life-changing is emotional pain. People, either in the vehicle or witnesses of the accident, see a person being physically injured in an accident. This can create emotional trauma. For this type of injury, psychological counseling for PTSD will be helpful.
