Different kinds of injuries can occur in car accidents. Depending on the type of accident, speed of the vehicles involved, the type of vehicle, and other factors, road traffic injuries can be mild or catastrophic.
Car accident victims most commonly suffer from the following five road traffic injuries.
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1. Whiplash
Whiplash is common in car crashes because it jerks the head forward, then backward very quickly. This can damage the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and discs in your neck. You may feel fine after the accident, but whiplash may take up to 24 hours to set in.
Your neck may be stiff or sore, and it may be hard to turn your head. Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue are also symptoms of whiplash. This injury usually occurs in rear-end collisions or high-speed crashes. Additionally, if your head is further away from the headrest than it should be, you may wind up with whiplash.
2. Traumatic Brain Injuries
While some head injuries are minor, traumatic brain injuries have the potential to be quite severe. It will depend on the point and force of the impact and can lead to cognitive, behavioral, or physical symptoms.
Some car accident victims with traumatic brain injuries may have memory and concentration problems. It is also possible to have difficulty speaking and perception impairments. Brain injuries may also create behavioral issues such as increased irritability, mood swings, or anxiety.
Physically, a traumatic brain injury may make you feel nauseous, cause headaches, and lead to balance and coordination problems. Victims are most likely to suffer traumatic brain injury in rollovers, head-on collisions, and other serious accidents. The type of vehicle that crashes into yours, such as a large truck, could also cause this injury. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries can cause lifelong consequences.
3. Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
In some cases, you may only have strains or sprains in your back. In other cases, you may have herniated discs or even spinal cord injuries. Back and spinal injuries will vary in severity depending on where the injury occurs and how severe it is. You may experience back pain, weakness or tingling in your legs, limited or no mobility, and loss of bladder or bowel control.
These types of injuries are more likely in serious accidents. You may wind up fully or partially paralyzed as a result.
4. Broken Bones
Broken bones and fractures can be very painful. You’ll likely be aware that something isn’t right when you try to get out of your vehicle. If your legs or arms are broken, you will feel severe pain when you try to move your limbs. Depending on where the fracture is, it may take longer for you to recover.
Broken bones result in severe pain, usually with bruising in the area of the fracture. It can limit your mobility, and the injured area may be prone to swelling or tenderness to the touch. Broken bones are common in side and front-impact collisions.
For many, healing from broken bones will take time. However, it may leave others with permanent mobility issues, chronic pain, or nerve and tissue damage.
5. Psychological Impacts
Whether you endure a physical injury or not, you may have long-lasting psychological impacts from your accident. This is often the case for those left with permanent injuries that prevent them from doing what they once enjoyed. Even those lucky enough to escape with just a few scratches and bruises may suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
After getting medical treatment for any kind of road traffic injury, make sure you speak with an attorney for car accidents to work on your claim.
