Anywhere between 20 and 50 million people suffer from non-fatal car-accident injuries every year. A car accident can cause devastating injuries to nearly any part of your body. 

Even a responsible and smart driver can get into an accident with the people with whom they’re sharing the road. 

Keep reading to learn about the most common car accident injuries that occur.

Head Injuries

Even the most minor car accident can result in a head injury.

A small collision can cause your head to jerk back or forward violently. This sudden movement can cause a concussion. Concussions can cause a hematoma, a dangerous collection of blood around the brain. 

You might also experience memory problems or lapses in how you perceive your brain functioning. Prompt treatment is essential when you hit your head in an accident, even if it seems to be minor.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are another potential car crash injury. TBIs are often life-altering events that change how your brain functions. 

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you might consider hiring a lawyer. A personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Soft Tissue Injuries

A soft tissue injury causes damage to the body’s connective tissues. Your muscles, ligaments, and tendons can undergo sprains, strains, and contusions. 

Bruising is very common to see after a car accident. The force from the collision can slam your body into your seatbelt, the window, or the steering wheel. Bruises aren’t as serious as the other injuries we’re talking about, but they can be quite painful.

Whiplash can cause discomfort to your neck and back. It is caused by muscle and ligament strains in these areas. It can take weeks to recover from a whiplash injury but it most often isn’t permanent.

Broken Bones

It’s not hard to see how a collision can cause broken bones. The force of an accident causes your body to move in ways it shouldn’t or hit parts of your vehicle. Your skeleton is put under a lot of stress that it isn’t designed to withstand.

Legs, ribs, arms, and wrists are the most common bone breaks after an accident. Some victims may incur more serious breaks such as their sternum, pelvis, or even their neck or back.

Spinal cord injuries occur when bones in the neck or back break or become crushed. An injury of this type is often life-altering as it can cause quadriplegia or paraplegia. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

It’s not only your physical self that can incur an injury after an accident. Almost 40% of car accident survivors develop PTSD afterward. 

You might notice avoidance behaviors or negative thoughts and moods. PTSD often causes intrusive memories and anxiety about traveling in vehicles.

Understanding Common Car Accident Injuries 

Car accident injuries can range from life-threatening to bumps or scrapes. If you have an injury from an accident, you should speak to a legal representative. Depending on who they determine is at fault, you may receive some compensation.

Keep browsing our Legal advice articles to learn more about your rights.