Did you know that there are around 13 car crashes per minute in the United States? Almost 43,000 Americans car accident injuries died in car crashes in 2021.
Some of the most common auto accident causes include drinking, speeding, and distracted driving. If you want to be a better driver and avoid injuries, you should slow down, adjust your plans for the weather, avoid distractions, and always be ready to avoid obstacles.
What are some of the most common car accident injuries? Keep reading to learn more about car accident cases.
Scrapes and Cuts
Some of the most common car accident injuries are cuts and scraps. Cuts and scrapes can happen when broken objects hit you during a car accident. This can be from the airbag, windshield, or other items in the car.
While most cuts and scrapes are nothing to worry about, there are times when you should go to the hospital. If your cut is large, bleeding excessively, or exposing tissue, you should visit the doctor.
You also should see a doctor if there is a foreign object stuck in your skin or the item that cut you was dirty. After getting cuts and scrapes from a car crash, make sure you take steps to avoid getting an infection.
Bruises
Another common injury that can happen because of a car crash is bruising. You can get a bruise from your seatbelt, airbag, or other objects in the car. Most bruises should heal within a week or two.
Most of the time, bruises are not serious injuries, but it’s always a good idea to see a doctor if you aren’t sure. Bruising can indicate internal bleeding, fractures, or a contusion.
Some signs you should see a doctor include loss of motion, nausea, headaches, fever, blood in your urine, or lack of improvement.
Whiplash
Did you know that whiplash is another common car accident injury? Whiplash happens when you injure the soft tissue in your neck. It also may be referred to as a neck strain.
Whiplash can occur anytime your neck is jolted forward or backward, making it a common injury during car crashes. It is especially common during rear-end and head-on collisions.
Some of the most common signs of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headache, and limited range of motion. If you have neck pain after a car accident, it’s always wise to see a doctor.
Head Injuries
Another common injury that happens from car accidents is a head injury. Head injuries are one of the most serious injuries you can get, and they can be fatal in some cases.
According to the CDC, around 176 Americans die daily from traumatic brain injury. During a car crash, it is easy to hit your head on the steering wheel, airbag, or side window.
In minor car crashes, you may only get bruises or scrapes. In large collisions, you may suffer from concussions and traumatic brain injury. Wearing your seatbelt while driving may lessen your chance of brain injuries.
After a car accident, watch out for dizziness, confusion, nausea, behavior changes, and memory problems. If you have any of these symptoms, get checked out by your doctor.
Limb Injuries
Another injury that can happen as a result of a car accident is a limb injury. A limb injury is any injury that affects your arms or legs. The most common limb injuries are cuts and bruises, but it’s also possible to dislocate or break a bone.
Limb injuries can happen during a car accident when your arm or leg bends unnaturally, you are expelled from the vehicle, or an object, such as an airbag, hits you with force.
Do you have a limb injury after being involved in a car crash? If so, this accident attorney may be able to help.
Back Injuries
If your back is sore after a car accident, you may have injured it. Back injuries are common during car accidents because the spine can move with a heavy impact.
It is easy to pinch a nerve during an accident, have discs in your back shift, or fracture a vertebra. Back injuries can be serious and can cause long-term pain.
Common symptoms of back injury include pain, stiffness, spasms, and limited range of motion.
Back pain can take days to show up after an accident, so make an appointment if your back starts feeling sore. You also should consider hiring a lawyer if the accident wasn’t your fault and you have lasting back pain.
Chest Injuries
While wearing a seatbelt can save your life in a car crash. They also can injure your chest. A chest injury can also happen when the airbag or other items in the car hit you.
Some of the most common chest injuries include bruises, contusions, and broken ribs. After the car accident, watch for signs of bruising, swelling, chest pain, redness, and numbness.
Internal Injuries
Another common injury that can happen because of a car accident is an internal injury. Like chest injuries, internal injuries can happen because of your seatbelt, airbag, or objects in the vehicle.
Common internal injuries include internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, and damage to other organs. Because internal injuries occur inside your body, they can be hard to identify.
Some common symptoms of internal injuries include difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, changes in heart rate, and low blood pressure.
Are You Ready to Avoid These Common Car Accident Injuries?
Some of the most common car accident injuries include cuts, bruises, head injuries, and back injuries. If you want to avoid injuries, you should focus on the road, avoid speeding, and make a plan for inclement weather.
Did you find this article on common car accident injuries helpful? If so, check out our blog to learn more about driver safety.
