Car accidents are one of the most common ways that people end up injured every day. While many people think they will never be hurt in a car crash, the fact is that around 25% of Americans will end up in a car crash at some point during their lives. Even the most contentious drivers can end up in a crash if they are hit by an intoxicated or distracted driver. As drunk driving accident lawyer Harvey Morris explains, people who get into car crashes can suffer from a variety of injuries, from minor annoyances like scratches or bruises, to major injuries, such as brain damage.
Here are a few of the most common types of injuries people experience after being in a car crash.
Injuries to soft tissue
Soft tissue injuries occur when connective tissue in the body is damaged. This damage can be done to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These issues are common after car crashes, especially if the vehicles were traveling at high speeds. Soft tissue injuries can be caused when an individual is slammed against a seat, dashboard, or windshield, but they can also be caused by sudden movements during the crash. For example, “whiplash” injuries are caused when the neck and upper back are forced into unnatural positions as the result of the impact of the crash.
Injuries to the chest
Chest injuries caused by car crashes generally involve bruising or contusions. Generally, injuries to the chest area are not too severe, but they can be in certain circumstances. For example, if a driver is thrown up against the steering wheel with enough force, he or she could suffer multiple broken ribs. Passengers can also get severe chest injuries by being thrown into a seat or dashboard by the impact of the crash. Seatbelts generally help minimize the risk of severe chest injuries and should be worn at all times.
Injuries to the arms and legs
These types of injuries are also generally caused by the force of a collision. One common way that people suffer leg injuries is when their knees hit the dashboard. People can also suffer sprains and broken bones in their arms and legs due to car crashes.
Injuries to the head
Head injuries are generally the most severe kind of injury a person can get in a car crash. There are minor head injuries that can easily be treated, but severe head injuries, such as a closed head injury, where tissue and fluid inside the skull become damaged, can cause permanent brain damage. As Dallas accident injury lawyer Tim Tate explains, because head injuries can be so harmful, it is important for people to always get checked by a medical professional after a car crash, as some head injuries don’t have many outward symptoms until it’s too late. And if you have to file a personal injury claim later, having this medical documentation can be critical.
If you’ve been in a car accident and are now dealing with a life-altering injury, make sure you get the best medical and legal help you can. If the crash wasn’t your fault, you don’t deserve to be buried under medical bills while you’re trying to recover. As Howard Spiva, a lawyer who deals with different types of truck accidents in Georgia explains, a good accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet with less stress and more dignity.
