There are approximately 5 to 6 million car accidents yearly, according to NHTSA. This number is set to increase as more drivers are getting on the road. Unfortunately, as these numbers increase so will car accident injuries.
What kind of injuries can you get from being in a car accident though? Keep reading for our brief guide to auto accident injuries.
Scrapes, Cuts, and Bruises
These are by far the most common types of car accident injuries. They can be caused by the sudden jolt when the vehicle makes an impact. Most of these won’t be very serious injuries and can be treated without the assistance of a doctor.
Whiplash
This is another very common car accident injury. Whiplash is usually the result of the neck moving back and forth rapidly, much like the movement of a whip. This type of injury is common in patients that have been rear-ended.
The most common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Severe neck pain
- limited range of motion
- Pain that spreads to the arms
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
These symptoms are not inclusive and some patients may suffer more severe symptoms such as blurred vision, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Be sure to mention these to a doctor if you are experiencing them.
Concussions
Concussions can be one of the scariest auto accident injuries. Its symptoms can include:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Confusion
- Memory problems
These can sometimes lead to more dangerous situations such as hematoma. It’s important to look for the danger signs of this after a car accident.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are fairly common after being in a car accident. They may also take a while to become apparent. Some common symptoms include:
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Radiating pain down the legs
- Muscle spasms
- Stiffness
Most back injuries can be treated fairly easily. However if you’ve sustained any spinal cord injuries, such as a herniated disk, you may need to specifically look into spinal cord injury treatment.
PTSD
A car accident can be a very traumatic experience. In some cases, patients may develop PTSD as a result of being involved in a car accident. Some symptoms to look for include:
- Dreaming about the incident
- Intrusive thoughts about the incident
- Avoidance of thoughts or situations relating to the accident
- Numbing of emotional responsiveness
Internal Bleeding
Not all injuries can be seen internal bleeding is one of those injuries. Symptoms can include:
- Weakness, usually on one side of the body
- Numbness on one side of the body
- Tingling in hands or feet
- Change in vision or hearing
- Sudden severe headache
- Loss of balance
- Difficulty swallowing
Treatment is usually received in an emergency room through IV fluids and blood transfusions.
Learn More About Car Accident Injuries
While not all car accident injuries are severe it’s important to know what can happen in an accident. Just to recap some of the most common car accident injuries include cuts, scrapes, bruises, whiplash, concussions, back injuries, PTSD, and internal bleeding.
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