Being involved in an auto accident can sometimes leave serious physical and psychological consequences. The injuries you suffer in a car accident can heal over time or they can become a chronic condition, causing you pain from time to time. Sometimes car accident can lead to death, in fact in US alone at-least 39000 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2019. Here are the most common accident injuries that can happen during a car accident:
Physical Trauma
Seat Belt Burn
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A seat belt is invented for the sole purpose to protect you and you should always, without exception, use it. But sometimes besides protecting you, a seatbelt can have one unfortunate side-effect. When it comes to car accidents where sudden breaking at a high speed was involved, when the seat belt locks your body in place it can still irritate the skin to some degree. As you were breaking, the friction of the seat belt and your shirt can cause what is known as burns, something resembling a scraped skin. The burns are actually bruises that can take weeks to disappear.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries and it can happen no matter the gravity of the car accident. Simply put, a whiplash is what happens when you move your body faster than you could ever do on your own. A sudden impact with another vehicle may cause you to jerk forward, putting a strain on your muscles and ligaments, but not breaking any bones. This injury is very painful and can take quite some time to heal.
Scrapes and Cuts
There are a number of ways you can receive cuts and scrapes in your car accident. You may be hit by an object from your own car, or your car window may smash and send a glass projectile towards you. You could also have a lot of smaller cuts or just one big cut that makes you bleed extensively. The biggest problem with scrapes and cuts, though, is not the bleeding. It is the risk of infections and many other complications.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common in rear-end and side-impact collisions and they happen when the force of the impact is just to great for your body. One of the most serious injuries is actually a broken rib, as this broken bone can pose a risk of puncturing one of your vital organs. It also takes a long time to heal.
Head Injury
According to a report published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are about 2.8 million new TBI cases each year, and in 2014 alone, there were 33000 Traumatic Brain Injuries. Whenever you get injured in a car accident, regardless of what condition you think you are in, make sure to check yourselves for any head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are sometimes hard to diagnose and can cause you headaches and brain function issues that can last for the rest of your life.
Internal Bleeding
Internal Bleeding is one of the most dangerous injuries that can happen in a car accident. The reason is twofold- first, it is a life-threatening condition that has to be treated immediately in order to save a life. And second many people, under the rush of the adrenalin caused by their accident, don’t actually feel any symptoms. Thinking they got off with minor injuries, they will not seek medical attention right away, unaware that their clock is ticking. This is the number one reason why you should seek medical help right after your car accident.
Herniated Disc
Spine injuries can happen in a car accident and the outcome can range from mild discomfort to death. But one common injury is most certainly a herniated disc. This occurs when one or more vertebrae rupture or simply shift upon the impact. Depending on the location of the herniated disc, you may feel pain in your arms, legs, or generally all over your body. These types of injuries don’t heal over time. You need to work long and hard with an experienced physiotherapist before you can see and feel any progress.
Knee Injuries
With certain types of car injuries, the sudden impact may cause you to strike a dashboard with your knees. Many different injuries can occur at that moment, from torn ligaments to a shattered kneecap that may leave you in need of surgery in order to walk again. This too is one of the more serious car accident injuries that take months if not years to recover from.
Psychological Trauma
Many people suffer from mental and emotional problems after a car accident. The fear of another accident may easily become a post-traumatic disorder and discourage people to drive or get into a car again. Many people also carry a lot of guilt following their car accident. They would have daily flashbacks reminding them of the accident and this can create disturbances in their day-to-day life. But just as physical injuries, psychological injuries have specialized facilities dedicated to helping people recover from any kind of emotional trauma. It is important to seek help on time.
How To Handle Medical Bills
If you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it is important to know that you can be compensated for your injuries by the at-fault party’s insurance. If you hire a car accident attorney in California, they may guide you through the whole process and can even help you recover compensation for both your physical and psychological injuries. By working with an experienced car accident attorney, you can focus on your recovery without worrying about medical bills and your finances.