Common Car Accident Injuries

Common Car Accident Injuries

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 1.175 million people per year suffer injuries from auto accidents in the United States. These injuries vary depending on the type of accident and its severity. However, some injuries are more common than others.

Various factors determine the severity of an injury. They include the following:

• Was the person wearing a seat belt?
• Where was the car hit—the rear, side, or front?
• Was the person facing straight ahead?
• Was the crash at a low speed or high speed?
• Did the airbags deploy properly?

Car accident injuries can be divided into two categories: impact injuries and penetrating injuries. Typically, impact injuries are caused when a person’s body part hits the interior of the car. For example, their knee might hit the dashboard, or their head might hit the side window. Penetrating injuries occur when loose objects fly inside the car and penetrate the body, often resulting in cuts and scrapes.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to connective tissue (muscles, ligaments, and tendons). This is the most common type of injury in car accidents and comes in many forms.

Whiplash is a common type of soft tissue injury that affects the neck and upper back. It is caused by sudden movements. The impact causes damage to vulnerable body parts such as the head, neck, or back.

Some pre-settlement funding companies do not fund soft tissue car accident claims, but Uplift considers every car accident lawsuit for funding.

Impact Injuries

Head Injuries

Head injuries range from relatively minor to very severe. The sudden stop or movement of a vehicle can cause the head to move suddenly and unnaturally. Like whiplash, this can cause strain in the neck, back, and head. Sudden movement can cause the head to hit a side window or steering wheel, resulting in scrapes and bruising. In severe cases, that impact can cause deep lacerations. With a closed head injury, fluid and tissue inside the skull are damaged. This can lead to brain damage. In more minor cases, closed head injuries result in a concussion.

Chest Injuries

Chest injuries are another common car accident injury. They typically involve contusions or bruises. More severe cases involve broken ribs or other internal injuries. Drivers are especially prone to chest injuries because they sit directly behind the steering wheel, leaving very little room for movement.

Arm and Leg Injuries

Like the head and neck, arms and legs can move unexpectedly in the event of a car accident. They might slam against the door or window. Legs, in particular, have very little room for movement, which often results in them hitting the dashboard or the seats in front of them. These injuries can range from bruises and scrapes to sprains or breaks, depending on the severity of the collision.

Penetrating Injuries

Scrapes and Cuts

Car collisions often result in loose objects flying around. These include cell phones, cups, purses, books, etc. If these objects strike you directly, they can cut your body and cause injury. The severity of these cuts and scrapes varies from minor to severe, potentially requiring stitches or causing extreme blood loss.

Many injuries are not apparent right after an accident. Some take days, weeks, or even months to surface. Regardless of how you feel after a car accident, seek medical attention to be safe.

Uplift Legal Funding

Uplift Legal Funding provides lawsuit loans to car accident plaintiffs in need. Learn more today by calling us at (800) 385-3660 or visiting our application page.