Every year, more than six million Americans experience a car accident.
Of those six million, three million people suffer injuries from car accidents, and two-thirds of the injuries are permanent. Despite precautions like seatbelts, which decrease the likelihood of injury or death, accident-related injuries are prevalent.
Here are the most common injuries from car accidents.
Whiplash
You’ve most likely heard of a whiplash injury before. The name refers to the head’s sudden explosive movement after the car stops or slows due to impact. The reason being that a seatbelt holds the body, but the head is only supported from the back by the headrest.
Whiplash moves your head forward faster than you could do so on your own. The results are muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries in the neck. Whiplash is the most common injury during minor car accidents.
Cuts or Abrasions
Scrapes and cuts are common injuries in many accidents. Still, car accidents can throw items around inside the car — as well as pieces of glass, plastic, or metal. These can be painful and have to be cleaned to prevent infection. Hopefully, depending on the area, cuts and scrapes do not pose a long term risk.
Broken Bones
Ribs are the most vulnerable bones during a car accident as you are pushed in all directions while restrained by your seat and seatbelt. Parts of the car can also be pushed into you, causing broken arms, legs, hips, or shoulders. Broken bones occur in all types of crashes from any direction but are more common in major car accidents.
Head Injuries
Head and brain injuries are common and can produce difficult complications for years after the accident. Head injuries are one of the most overlooked injuries due to high medical bills.
Lack of treatment can result in issues with headaches, sleeping, or memory. Head injuries may also be psychological, such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder) or psychological guilt and loss. Psychological injuries can be equally challenging to overcome.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding amongst the most severe injuries because it is not immediately detectable and can be very dangerous if not treated soon afterward.
It is crucial to find professional care and check for injuries like internal bleeding. Like internal bleeding, not all injuries are immediately visible.
Back or Knee Trauma
Injuries to the back or knee can be complex to treat. Often back and knee injuries can affect your quality of life after an accident. They may make work or day-to-day activities challenging so it is often advised to buy iwalk crutches to still be able to do things that require walking. In that case, be sure to seek the medical opinion of a specialist in that area if possible. A Robotic Assisted Knee Surgery may be needed.
Dealing With Injuries from Car Accidents
Injuries from car accidents are widespread and can lead to permanent lasting problems if left untreated or not treated well. Even if accident injuries are properly treated, unraveling the mess of insurance claims, lawsuits, and medical compensation can be an extra burden.
This is where the importance of first aid comes into play. First aid administered promptly at the scene of an accident can make a significant difference in preventing injuries from worsening. In the case of severe accidents, having access to life-saving techniques like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be crucial. CPR supplies, including items such as face masks, chest compressors, and automated external defibrillators, can be the difference between life and death in critical situations. Being prepared with CPR supplies can help individuals respond effectively to cardiac arrest, offering a lifeline to accident victims while awaiting professional medical assistance.
If you or a loved one has sustained car accident injuries, be sure to seek legal advice from trusted and experienced car accident attorneys.
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