Accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. And most of those accidents are from motor vehicle crashes. During a car crash, the body can be subjected to trauma in an enormous variety of ways, making the possible injuries from a car crash nearly infinite including death. However, there are a few injuries that are very common and typical when you are involved in a car accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the single most common car crash-related injury. Whiplash is a spinal injury that affects the neck or back, and is caused by the affected area of the spine stretching too quickly before snapping back. This rapid stretching and compression causes damage to the vertebrae, disks, or the ligaments of the spine. Severity varies, but whiplash can often lead to chronic pain or even paralysis.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are common in car crashes. The head colliding with the steering wheel, dashboard, or car door can cause traumatic brain injury, or TBI. TBI comes in many different degrees of intensity; it may heal after a few weeks, or it could cause permanent brain damage that impairs brain function. Injuries to ears, eyes, and the jaw and teeth are also common in car accidents.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are common causes of death in car crashes. In addition to whiplash in the neck, blows to the throat can cause difficulty breathing and may be fatal. Broken necks are also very common causes of death in car accidents since this type of injury can cause instant death before paramedics can make it to the scene.
Chest Injuries
For people not wearing seatbelts, serious chest injuries are common in car crashes. Usually, seatbelts and airbags limit injuries to the chest but absent these safety measures, chest injuries can be extremely dangerous. Slamming forward can cause a broken sternum or ribs, and can also lead to punctured or damaged internal organs.
Other Broken Bones
Injuries to the pelvic and abdominal regions are common, especially in impacts to the front or side of the car. This type of accident can often cause hip fractures. Damage to the kidneys, liver, or spleen is also common in this type of accident when force is applied to the abdominal region.
In serious accidents, the legs and knees can often suffer damage. This is usually the result of legs being crushed as the car is deformed. This can manifest as simple bruising, or it can cause serious breaks. If the leg is twisted too much, the knees can suffer meniscus tears, which limit mobility and cause severe pain. Ankles, feet, and toes are also common injuries in this type of accident.
As you can see, car accidents can lead to a large variety of injuries. The damage suffered during a car crash depends greatly on the type of accident, the direction of the force, and the presence of safety measures like seat belts and airbags. To minimize your risk of being injured in car accidents, make sure to wear your seatbelt, and avoid excessive speeds.