Most Common Injuries After a Car Accident
According to reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than five million people are involved in car accidents each year in the U.S. Three million people end up with minor to severe injuries each year. Some car accident injuries are more common than others.
Depending on factors including speed, the number of vehicles and weather conditions, an injury could heal in a matter of days or might not become present for a while after the accident. If you are involved in a car accident you should get yourself checked out just in case, shock can prevent victims from realizing the extent of their problems.
Most Common Injuries are as Follows:
Soft Tissue Injuries
- A soft tissue injury is any damage to the body’s connective tissue, this includes muscles, ligaments and tendons. A soft tissue injury is the most common form of car accident injury, it can take many forms. One of the most common soft tissue injuries is a “whiplash” injury. A car accident can cause sudden movements of the neck and lower back; these can lead to long-term problems.
Scapes and Lacerations
- A scrape or laceration can be caused by unsecured objects inside of your car. These objects include cell phones, drinks, books and more. If the impact is hard enough, any of these objects can break the skin fairly quickly.
Head Injuries
- One of the most serious types of injuries from car accidents are head injuries. An unexpected stop or a sudden change in direction can cause your head to be flung against a window or steering wheel. The more direct a head injury is the more severe it is likely to become. A brain hemorrhage or brain bleed is a possible head injury. Concussions are a less severe outcome as well.
Chest Injuries
- Chest injuries will mostly take the form of bruises or contusions, but at more severe levels can leave a victim with broken ribs and internal problems. Drivers often will experience a chest injury because their chest will collide with the steering wheel.
Leg and Arm Injuries
- Similarly to a head or neck being jerked after a sudden impact, your arms and legs can experience similar problems. Your limbs can be thrown against the vehicle’s door. Car accidents have caused occupant’s knees to hit the dashboard or seat in front of them leading to bruises, scrapes and sprains.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers to be your Houston car accident lawyer.
