Injuries in car accidents range from mild to severe. If you’ve never been in a car accident, you may not know what to look for and may be surprised at how your body and brain react to the trauma of impact. In a recent blog, the Founder of 1-800AskGary, Gary Kompothecras, reveals the most common car accident injuries that every driver in Florida should know to prepare for a potential accident.
Blind Side Collisions
Also known as whiplash is one of many soft tissue injuries that can occur, whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries from car accidents.
This type of injury usually manifests as neck pain, which can take a few days to start feeling back to normal again. Besides neck discomfort, whiplash symptoms include neck inflexibility, fatigue, and headaches.
Whiplash is commonly caused by rear-end or blindside collisions. Whiplash isn’t necessarily a serious injury, but like any neck or head injury, it’s important to monitor it carefully. The injured individual should be treated if severe headaches begin to occur.
Drivers can also hit their heads against the steering wheel, which can cause other head and brain injuries.
Internal Fractures
Fractures from car accidents usually occur in high-speed crash situations. It is also common, aside from impact injury. Fractures require immediate medical attention. Until the injured person is treated correctly, they may experience significant pain.
Chest injuries are often accompanied by fractures, as are arm and leg injuries in car accidents. Fractures can occur anywhere on the body and cause long-term symptoms.
If you experience this type of injury, be aware of mobility issues, chronic pain, and discomfort. Broken ribs can also cause breathing difficulties.
Back Injury
A spinal cord injury is one of the most dangerous injuries from car accidents. Rollover accidents are particularly likely to cause this problem. It is also more likely that the driver or passenger is thrown out of the vehicle.
Like a back injury, a spinal cord injury can seriously damage a person’s overall health. They can cause reduced mobility of the spine, extreme back pain, and weakness in the legs. Respiratory problems can also occur.
Because the back is so important to the rest of the body, muscle sprains in this area are considered serious injuries and should be treated promptly.
Brain Injuries
Another common condition from car accidents is a traumatic brain injury. Head trauma is a common internal injury, especially when the accident involves a large vehicle or when a head-on collision occurs.
Injuries of this kind can affect a person in different ways. Anxiety can increase dramatically for many people who have suffered a serious brain injury. Physical symptoms such as vomiting and nausea may also occur. It can also cause permanent damage to the brain, often leading to cognitive impairment and loss of speech.
Emotional Trauma
Last but not least is psychological trauma. Experiencing a car accident can take a serious toll on mental and emotional health. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be an important factor for a person after being injured in a car accident.
In such cases, it is important to consult a professional who can assess the psychological damage and help the patient work towards better mental health.
Help Is Available
Contact 1-800-ASK-GARY to connect with expert medical and legal professionals if you’ve been injured in a car crash. We can connect you to an experienced attorney or personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate challenges following an accident.