With the icy roadways of the past couple days, we’re reminded that car accidents cause a lot of damage. The most obvious and immediate damage usually is evident on your vehicle. Since our cars often are our primary way to get around, you may be more focused on your vehicle than injuries to your body. And often the shock and adrenaline that come with a collision make you feel less injured than you really are. When you don’t see blood or broken bones, it can be easy to lose sight of taking care of your body.
But when an accident happens, your body is forced to twist and bend in abnormal ways, and it often leaves people injured. These are the most common injuries associated with car accidents.
- Bruises/Contusions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, bruises and contusions are the most common injury. Even the most minor accident is likely to leave you with some bruises from your seatbelt. Bruises and contusions can become more serious and painful the more serious the accident was.
- Whiplash. Whiplash is common due to the unnatural way your body is propelled due to the speed associated with a collision. It’s common to experience pain and discomfort in your neck after an accident due to the strain to your muscles and ligaments. This condition doesn’t normally result in a permanent injury on its own, but it’s still painful and can take several weeks to heal, and there could be related injuries that a doctor needs to assess.
- Neck & Back. Similar to whiplash, these injuries are caused by the force, speed, and impact of the collision. They are more severe, though. The cause may be a herniation or rupture to the discs in your back or neck. Sometimes these injuries are permanent; other times they’re not. Even when not permanent, these injuries can take a long time to heal. Physical therapy and even, potentially, surgery may be necessary. Although you often can’t see a back or neck injury when looking at someone, these injuries can cause significant pain and limitations.
- Concussions. You easily can hit your head during a car accident, which can cause a concussion. If you think you may have a concussion after an accident, prompt treatment is necessary to restore your brain to a healthy state.
These are just a few of the most common injuries associated with car accidents. More extreme injuries could include a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, broken bones, internal bleeding, or more. Whether your accident was a fender-bender or a total-loss collision, you should seek medical attention to ensure that you’re okay. While you take care of your body, The Coppola Firm is here to take care of your livelihood, bills, and financial recovery. Let our team of experienced attorneys handle that while you recover.
