When you end up in a car accident, it is often unexpected and traumatic. Seeing as a serious injury can happen to virtually any part of the body in a car accident, it is important you know where these injuries can happen. Knowing what injuries can happen is a great way to know what needs attention if you are ever in the situation of a car accident.
The following are some of the most common injuries that people have suffered in a car accident. While some are more common than others, these are the ones that we see the most often when it comes to car accident claims.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Car accidents are a leading cause of TBIs across the United States. A TBI happens when the brain is damaged by a blow or a piercing injury to the head. Each year there are roughly 50,000 people die from TBIs, and another 80,000 to 90,000 people suffer long-term disability. When someone suffers from a TBI there are often extensive medical bills and a long road to recovery.
Even minor TBIs can result in memory problems and cognitive function problems. They are also notoriously slow to appear and diagnose.
Bruising
Bruises are seldom serious and often heal within a week or two. The most common cause of bruising in a car accident is from the seat belt saving you from worse damage. Most bruises are harmless, but you should still monitor them after being in an accident. Some bruises can be much worse and penetrate deeply.
A bruise can be a sign of internal bleeding, and even if it looks minor you should get it checked out. If your bruise doesn’t get better within a week then it could mean something is wrong.
Whiplash
It has been estimated by the Mayo Clinic that 120,000 have whiplash injuries each year. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that happen in car accidents and is often caused by rear-end collisions. While it can be seriously painful, it does often heal within several weeks. It can leave you missing work, which can lead to lost wages.
Post-Traumatic Stress
While physical injuries are easy to so, mental ones are not. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can easily be a result of a car accident. PTSD can limit your ability to do what you love as it can easily haunt you. It can lead to sleeping problems, nightmares, and additional mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. This disorder makes it hard to function and should be taken seriously.
We know that car accidents can be serious and that is why we strongly recommend talking to a car accident lawyer like our friends at John K. Zaid & Associates for more information about what they can do for you.
