Most Common Car Accident Injuries

As motorists, we have an obligation to adhere to traffic regulations to protect others’ lives. While many of us think that we will never be involved in a major crash, the truth is that a car accident can happen when you least expect it. 

In this article, our California car accident lawyers discuss the most common types of injuries in motor vehicle collisions. 

Brain Bleed

When an individual suffers head trauma, the person may sustain abrain bleed (also known as an “intracranial hemorrhage”). A brain bleed is caused by a blood vessel that bursts in the head. Symptoms of a brain bleed include vision loss, a stiff neck, loss of balance or coordination, trouble breathing, and a potentially comatose state. 

Rib Contusion

A bruised rib, also known as a rib contusion, is common in car accidents. A rib contusion is usually caused by your chest coming in contact with the dashboard or steering wheel. It can also be caused by the seat belt “locking” upon impact. 

Symptoms of bruised ribs may include chest pain, swelling, or tenderness around the bruised rib. In more severe crashes, a rib fracture may occur. 

Spinal Cord Injury

Research has shown that motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries. A spinal cord injury often results in irreparable damage below the site of impact. Since your spinal cord is responsible for sending messages from your brain to the rest of your body, a spinal cord injury often results in permanent disability.

Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury include extreme back pain, loss of control in any part of the body, and loss of feeling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes.

Internal Bleeding

While many injuries may be obvious, many take place below the surface. Internal bleeding occurs when blood vessels rupture, which can also be compounded by damage to other internal organs. In a car accident, internal bleeding is most likely to take place in the abdomen. A commonly injured organ, thespleen, can result in life-threatening bleeding into your stomach if not tended to immediately. 

Whiplash

Any sudden movements can aggravate the cervical spine. Commonly occurring in rear-end crashes, whiplash causes the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves in the neck to tear. Whiplash is usually caused by the neck being thrown backward and forward with force, which happens when there is an acceleration followed by a rapid deceleration in a collision.

Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, tingling in the arms, loss of neck motion, and tenderness or pain in the shoulder.

Injured? Reach out to Our California Car Accident Lawyers Today

A car accident can leave you with serious injuries, forcing you to miss time from work and family. Instead of living the life you have grown accustomed to, you are faced with medical appointments and massive medical debt. 

If you have been harmed in a car accident through no fault of your own, we believe that you should be adequately compensated for your injuries and hardship. To learn how our legal team can be of service to you, contact us online or by phone.