4 Most Common Auto Injuries and How to Address Them

In the US in 2013 alone, over 2 million people were injured in auto accidents. Even when an accident is classified as a “fender bender”, there is a risk of injury. Some injuries are more obvious than others, and some may not even be detected until days or even weeks later. People often feel the need to “shake it off” when there is no visible injury, however, some unseen injuries can have lasting negative consequences.

Here are the four most common injuries resulting from car accidents.

Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are fairly common due to the violent jerking of the neck that typically happens when a vehicle is suddenly struck. Neck injuries may include sprains or strains in the soft tissues of the neck, herniated or dislocated disks in the neck, or whiplash.

Whiplash is caused when the head forcefully hits the headrest and then flies forward, being jerked to a stop when the seatbelt holding the body in place forces the head to stop. This series of motions can cause severe strain in the muscles, strains in the ligaments of the neck, and it can force the cervical vertebrae to misalign. Symptoms of whiplash may include pain and stiffness in the neck, nausea, dizziness, and intense headaches.

Back Injuries
The symptoms associated with a back injury may not surface for days following the accident. Car accidents can cause misalignments of the spine and herniated discs. A misalignment can lead to inflammation, leg pain, loss of range of motion, and severe headaches. A herniated disc can also lead to inflammation, as well as back pain and numbness or tingling in the legs.

Herniated discs can lead to lifelong pain and problems. Depending on the severity of the herniation, it may be treated with surgery. However, most people do not have surgery. The most common treatment plans include medication, physical therapy, and a change in lifestyle.

Brain Injuries
When the body is forced into a sudden jerking motion as it would be during a car accident, the brain can slam against the inside of the skull similarly to when a football player is tackled. This causes a closed head injury, which can be anything from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Closed head injuries are the most common injury suffered during a car accident.

Concussions, which are the most common type of closed head injuries, can cause dizziness, memory loss, and headaches that range from mild to severe. Depending on the severity of the injury, headaches can last for days or even weeks.

A TBI can lead to a wide range of complications including permanent changes to speech, thinking, vision, and general physical ability. TBI can also lead to coma or death. According to Herron Law, a firm with Austin car accident lawyers, auto-related deaths have increased 42% since 2011.

Leg & Knee Injuries
Leg and knee injuries are fairly common in car accidents and are generally classified as impact injuries. These types of injuries are often caused by the legs either hitting the underside of the dashboard or the steering wheel during impact, or from the driver forcefully pushing down on the brake pedal during impact. Impact injuries in the legs often result in broken bones, deep bruising, or sprains, which can lead to pain, swelling, and a loss of motion range.

Due to the fact many injuries can go undetected at first, it is important for all those involved in an accident to get checked out by a medical professional. Injuries caused by an auto accident can be traumatizing. Your first priority needs to be taking care of yourself and those that may have been in the car with you.

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