Injuries caused by car accidents vary widely, and some of those injuries are not noticeable at once. These injuries can be cuts, bruises, or lead to other life-threatening conditions. It is important to know the common types of injuries that a person sustains during a car accident. It helps them to know how to seek treatment so that the consequences of the injuries do not become severe.
In this article, we will discuss what are some common injuries that can happen after car accidents.
Here are the most common injuries of car accidents:
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Some of the worst injuries in a car crash are traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This serious form of vehicle accident injury happens when the brain is violently jarred inside the skull due to the sudden impact of a collision. The force can cause damage from a direct blow to the head or even from the rapid back-and-forth movement of the brain.
Symptoms can range widely, from mild concussion-like effects to severe cognitive impairments, memory loss, and long-term neurological complications. In many cases, timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent lasting damage and improve recovery outcomes.
Symptoms
- Headaches
- Vomiting and nausea
- Memory problems
- Light-headedness
- Lack of coordination
- Persistent fatigue
Treatment: TBI treatment may consist of rest, symptom treatment medication, and surgical procedures in severe cases, to relieve pressure on the brain.
2. Neck Injuries and Whiplash
One of the injuries that usually happens after an accident is whiplash, which involves the sudden movement of the head due to vigorous jerking. It may cause damage to neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In the severe cases, this may result in pinched nerves or herniated discs.
Symptoms:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
Treatment: Rest, physical therapy, and pain treatment are preferred. However, in acute cases, surgery of the neck may be necessary.
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3. Back Injuries
When a car hits with a strong impact, it is possible to damage the back and especially the spine. This involves herniated discs, broken bones, or even broken spinal cords that will be followed by paralysis.
Symptoms:
- Pain or stiffness in the back Back pain or stiffness Back pain or stiffness
- The numbing or tingling of the limbs
- Weakness in the legs or the arms
- Bladder or bowel incontinence (severe form)
Treatment: Depending on the magnitude of the injury, it can be treated by physical therapy and pain medication, to extreme treatment of surgery to correct severe spinal fractures or herniated discs.
4. Fractures and Broken Bones
Car accidents are a typical cause of fractures and broken bones since the force of impact may be great. Some of the most common fractures include broken arms, legs, ribs, and, in some cases, a more serious fractured pelvis or spine. These accidents lead to terrible pains that need rehabilitation for a long period.
Symptoms:
- Swelling and bruising
- Pain at the location of injury to the extent that one may not move around easily
- The impossibility of moving the damaged body part
- Deformity that can be observed visibly or protruding of a bone through the skin (in severe cases)
Treatment: Treatment can be done using casting or splinting, depending on the severity, which may require surgery to realign the bones.
5. Injuries and Inner Bleeding
The internal injuries can be hard to detect immediately after an accident. It can be fatal; otherwise, internal bleeding or organ damage can be a life-threatening issue. Typical internal injuries include harm to the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
Symptoms:
- Pain or swelling of the abdomen
- Light-Hedness or fainting
- Dyspnoea
- Nausea Vomiting
Treatment: Immediate medical attention is important when it comes to internal injury. Treatment can be surgical repair of damaged organs and the prevention of bleeding.
6. Cuts and Bruises on the Face
Facial injuries can be frequent when glass shatters, the airbags are deployed, or when you are hit with the vehicle interior during a car accident. Such injuries may include cuts and bruises, and even severe damage that needs reconstructive surgery.
Symptoms:
- Facial swelling
- Lacerations or deep cuts
- Disfigurement
- Fractured bones (such as the nose, jaw, or cheekbones)
Treatment: It depends on the severity; a treatment may include stitches, surgery, or skin grafts.
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7. Burns
Car injuries can also lead to burn injuries in case of a car fire or when there has been exposure to hot surfaces. These may be as simple as burns to as serious as third-degree burns requiring the services of a medical practitioner.
Symptoms:
- Redness or blistering of the skin
- Pain or swelling at the burn site
- Burned skin in its severe form
Treatment: First-degree burns can be treated with OTC remedies, but second- and third-degree burns need hospitalization, skin grafts, and long-term recovery.
8. Injuries to the Knee and Legs
The occurrence of knee and leg injuries is when the body parts get struck by the dashboard, seats, or other car sections when an individual collides with the human body. The most common types of injuries associated with the knee are sprains, strains, and bone fractures.
Symptoms:
- Knee or leg pain, or swelling
- Inability to bend or straighten the knee
- Discoloration or bruise
Treatment: The treatment may vary, and may include rest and physical therapy for minor injuries, and surgery for torn ligaments or fractures.
9. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Emotional and psychological injuries may also be experienced as a result of a car accident. A traumatic accident may lead to PTSD, and the affected person mostly re-experiences the accident in the form of flashbacks or nightmares.
Symptoms
- Stress and anxiety
- The flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Inability to sleep or focus
Treatment: PTSD is usually treated through therapy, counseling, and drugs. The occurrence of an accident can also trigger an emotional state that is treated using a support group.
10. Soft Tissue Injuries
Other injuries that are prevalent during car accidents include soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and bruises, which usually occur when the body is jerked or twisted during the collision. Such injuries may be painful and uncomfortable, but often they can be healed with time.
Symptoms:
- Inflammation of the involved region, pain, and bruising
- Stiffness and inflexibility
- Sensitiveness to the touch
Treatment: The most common form of treatment that is used in soft tissue injuries is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E). Recovery may also include physical therapy.
Conclusion
The number and types of injuries after car accidents can vary, ranging from minor cuts, bruises, and traumas that should be treated over time with some lasting consequences. Early detection of the symptoms and treatment will allow you to avoid all long-term damage and recover faster. In case you have been involved in a car accident and you do not feel any injury yet, it is worthwhile to consult a healthcare expert to rule out invisible injuries that may pose a problem in the future.
