Types of Car Accident Injuries

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident

Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents, ranging from minor fender benders to severe crashes, cause a lot of injuries in Florida every year. The impacts these collisions have on the human body can vary greatly. Understanding the different types of car accident injuries will help you recognize the symptoms so you’ll know when to seek immediate medical treatment.

Head Trauma

Some of the most frequently seen car crash injuries involve head trauma.

Head trauma can manifest in different forms, with mild concussions at one end of the spectrum and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) at the other. They usually happen when a person hits their head on something in the car, like the steering wheel or dashboard. Sometimes, however, even a light impact is enough to cause trauma.

The most common forms of head trauma seen after a collision include:

  • Concussions: A mild form of TBI that occurs when the brain is jolted or shaken inside the skull
  • Skull Fractures: A crack or break in the skull that forms after a blow to the head
  • Hemorrhaging: Bleeding in the brain from broken blood vessels
  • Hematomas: A type of bruise that forms on the brain
  • Penetrating Injuries: An external object penetrates the brain following a fracture

Because these injuries can create serious long-term damage, anyone who thinks they may have suffered head trauma in an accident should get checked out at the emergency room right away.

Neck and Back Injuries

The back and neck are frequent sites of injury in auto accidents. The sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck during a crash might cause whiplash, which is especially prevalent in rear-end collisions. Such an injury could leave the victim dealing with stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion.

The force of a crash can also cause the soft, cushioning discs between the vertebrae in the spine to slip or rupture. Other spinal cord injuries could result in partial or full paralysis, depending on the location and extent of the damage.

It’s important to keep an eye on any neck or back pain you develop after an accident. This type of car accident injury isn’t always noticeable right away, and it could get worse over time.

Chest and Abdominal Trauma

Your vehicle’s seat belts, airbags, or steering wheel could all cause an accident injury to your midsection. Seat belts and airbags have both been proven to save lives, but the pressure they create during impact can still cause serious damage to internal organs and bones.

Some of the most-observed abdominal and chest injuries include:

  • Broken Ribs: Even small fractures can be painful, and a break could lead to complications like punctured lungs if the impact of an airbag damages the ribcage
  • Organ Damage: Internal bleeding from the liver, spleen, kidneys, and other organs can be life-threatening and doesn’t always show up right away
  • Collapsed Lung: This can happen when penetrating force causes air to leak into the space between the lungs and chest wall, leading to breathing troubles

While you should make it a point to get any car accident injuries examined and treated, chest pain and abdominal discomfort could signal serious underlying issues.

Limb and Joint Injuries

Crash victims often end up with injured arms, legs, and joints because of the sudden force experienced by these areas of the body. Limb trauma can be anything from minor cuts and bruises on the skin to major bone fractures or dislocations of the shoulders, elbows, and knees.

Joints can also suffer varying degrees of sprains, strains, and tears in the ligaments and tendons from unnatural forces. Drivers who experience such injuries after car accidents could end up facing long-term pain and movement limitations.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

Not all injuries are physical. Some people deal with emotional trauma after car accidents, even ones that only cause minor injuries. Psychological symptoms can show up as new and unfamiliar feelings of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD can be particularly problematic. Victims might not realize they have it unless it interferes with their daily lives. Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the crash often interfere with the victim’s quality of life.

It’s crucial to recognize the psychological impact of an accident. Emotional injuries often require counseling and therapy to overcome, but not everyone recognizes that they need this kind of help in the immediate aftermath of a crash.

Minor Car Accident Injuries

Severe forms of trauma tend to get the most attention after an auto accident, but it’s also important to acknowledge less serious injuries. Not everyone ends up with brain damage or a broken back, yet the small effects can still create a lot of discomfort and inconvenience.

Seat belts and airbags can cause bruises due to the pressure and sudden impact, and the muscles in the neck or back may be strained. Moreover, shattered glass and loose objects in the vehicle can produce scrapes and lacerations, which could get infected if they’re not cared for properly.

Even if you only experience minor injuries in an accident, it’s still a good idea to seek medical attention. You want to make sure there’s no hidden damage that could cause more serious problems later on down the line.

Car accidents can result in a wide variety of injuries, from bumps and bruises to major trauma that changes the victim’s life in an instant. Knowing the most common crash injuries can help you understand when you need to see a doctor and what to expect as you recover and plan your next steps.

Whether your auto accident injury is mild or severe, it’s important to take proper action after a car crash.Go to the hospital to get checked out by a qualified caregiver, and take every symptom seriously. Doing so will help ensure both your immediate and long-term well-being. You’ll also have a record of your injuries should you choose to file a personal injury claim in the future.

Contact the Clearwater Car Accident Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg car accident law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in Pinellas County, and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765,
United States
24 hours
727-796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712,
United States
24 hours
(727) 349-1728