In the United States, there are on average, six million car accidents per year. Out of these statistics, three million people involved in a car crash are injured. There are several types of injuries one can obtain from an automobile accident. These injuries can have crucial and lingering effects that should always be well looked in after in case a crash takes place.
Head and Back
Head injuries are the most serious of car accident injuries. In any sort ofcollision, you run the risk of hitting your head against the steering wheel, dashboard, window, etc. This trauma to your head can cause concussions, cognitive problems, skull fractures and depending on the severity of the collision, even coma. Your back is also at high risk of injury, and any damage to the spinal cord can greatly effect your nervous system. This can cause reduced sensation in hands, feet, legs, and more. Spinal cord injuries can also lead to paralysis in the most severe cases.
Neck and Chest
The most common injury when it comes to collisions is whiplash. Everyone seems to experience the effects of whiplash differently, but it is always caused by sudden movement of the head and neck, inflicting damage to the muscles and ligaments there. Individuals can experience neck pain, swelling, increased headaches, etc. Blunt force trauma from an accident can cause broken bones, and this includes your ribcage. Your lungs may also be at risk of collapsing and sometimes people even go into cardiac arrest. Any injuries in the chest area should be examined immediately due to high risk of internal bleeding and further damage to internal organs.
Lastly, car accidents can also leave invisible scars. Emotional distress after an accident is not uncommon, and should not be an overlooked symptom for those involved in a crash. Being aware of these vulnerabilities may help you, should you ever be involved in an accident.