Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injury claims all over the United States.

Millions of people get injured in motor vehicle accidents in US every year. The type and seriousness of the injuries varies according to the circumstances of the collision. However, there are some injuries that are reported more commonly than others. Some injuries are minor and resolve on their own in a few days, and some are serious and life altering. In this post, we will discuss the most common types of injuries that people suffer in car accidents:

Injuries caused in vehicle accidents are often classified into two types:

Impact injuries: These are caused when the person’s body part hits something in the car’s interior.

Penetrating injuries: These include scrapes and cuts.

Here are the most common impact and penetrating injuries caused by accidents:

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of injury suffered in a car accident. This type of injury affects connective tissue such as ligaments, muscles, and tendons. A whiplash injury is a soft tissue injury to the neck and upper back caused by a sudden back and forth movement of the neck and head.

Cuts and Scrapes

In a car accident, the loose objects inside the vehicle can fly around and hit the body and cut or scrape the skin. Such objects include cells phones, GPS Systems, eyeglasses, purses etc. Serious cuts may involve blood loss and require stitches.

Chest Injuries

These injuries can range from contusions, to more serious injuries including internal injuries and broken ribs. The injuries are often a result of the chest striking the steering wheel or dashboard if the person is not wearing a seatbelt. Even if the person is buckled up, the seatbelt or the shoulder harness can cause severe bruising.

Head Injuries

Head injuries can range from being minor to life threatening. When the car stops unexpectedly or changes direction all of a sudden, it can cause the occupant’s head to move suddenly and unnaturally. This leads to muscle strains in back and neck. Impact with steering wheel or side window can cause head injuries including bruises, cuts, and even deep lacerations. High impact collisions can cause closed head injuries. Less serious closed head injuries often result in concussions, and the serious ones can cause temporary or permanent brain damage.

Limb Injuries

In case of a side impact accident, the person’s arm or legs may get thrown against the door and suffer an injury. The passenger’s knees can hit the dashboard, or the front seats. The common arm and leg injuries include bruises, scrapes, sprains, and fractures.