8 Common Car Accident Injuries
Every year, millions of Americans are injured in auto accidents. Many of these injuries lead to severe pain and costly medical bills. Some injury victims may even face permanent disabilities after a crash.
The sooner you’re aware of an injury, the better. This will allow you to get the treatment you need before the injury worsens. This post will review the eight most common car accident injuries and their symptoms.
1. Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injury is damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments. These injuries can manifest as any of the following:
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
Soft tissue injuries are often minor but can be very severe. For example, whiplash—a form of soft tissue injury—can lead to chronic pain and even paralysis.
Common symptoms of a soft tissue injury include:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Sensitivity
- Limited range of motion
- A popping sound or feeling caused by movement
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Paralysis.
2. Scrapes and Cuts
Most of us have experienced scrapes and cuts plenty of times since childhood. After an accident, however, these injuries can be much more severe. Scrapes and cuts may be caused by broken glass or other forms of debris.
The greatest threat from this type of injury is that it could become infected. Common symptoms of infection include:
- Increased pain or swelling in the days following the injury
- Scabs that grow larger over time
- Redness around the injury that grows over time
- Fluid draining from the wound
- Fever
3. Fractures
Another common type of car accident injury is broken bones, such as:
- Ribs
- Arms
- Legs
- Ankles
- Wrists
Often, these fractures will be minor, with only a cast and some time needed to heal. In other cases, the break may be more serious, requiring surgery. Regardless, a broken bone is generally hard to miss.
Common symptoms of bone fractures include:
- Pain
- Limited range of motion
- Deformity
- A popping sound or feeling caused by movement
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Inability to support weight
4. Head Injuries
Head injuries are among the most serious suffered after an accident. A concussion or traumatic brain injury can have life-changing consequences. As with any injury, it’s always best to diagnose a head injury early so it can be treated immediately.
Common symptoms of a head injury include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Changes in behavior and personality
- Memory problems
- Loss of vision
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Difficulty speaking
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
5. Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are another severe form of injury. An internal injury can mean internal bleeding, damage to organs, or any other harm inside the body. If left unchecked, an internal injury can become truly dangerous. Worse still, the injury may not be evident initially, with delayed symptoms only appearing in the days or weeks following the accident.
Common symptoms of internal injuries include:
- Unexplained pain or swelling
- Deep purple bruises
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic coughing
- “Crackling” sounds in the chest
- Blood in urine or stool
6. Back Injuries
Back injuries can have devastating effects. In particular, damage to the spinal cord can make it difficult to walk, lift weight, or even stand normally. This may lead to permanent disability. Fortunately, in many cases, the lasting impact of a back injury can be reduced through prompt treatment.
Common symptoms of back injuries include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Pressure in the neck, head, or back
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Difficulty moving
- Difficulty maintaining normal posture
- Paralysis
7. Burns
Every vehicle on the road contains flammable fluids and materials. If a car catches fire after a crash, drivers and passengers could suffer burn injuries. A burn injury could also be caused by contact with hot metal or steam.
Common symptoms of a burn include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Blisters
- Peeling skin
- Swelling
8. Emotional Distress
Not all injuries are physical. A car accident can lead to severe trauma and emotional distress. Some victims struggle with the effects of an accident for years after the fact.
Common symptoms of emotional trauma include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Irritability
- Fear
- Shame
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Unexplained chronic pain
- Fatigue
- Social withdrawal
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Minnesota Car Accident
If you or a loved one are injured in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation—and we can help you get it.
At SiebenCarey, we’ve spent decades helping thousands of injury victims get the financial support they need after an accident. Just contact us, and we can:
- Explain your rights to you
- Answer all your questions
- Investigate the details of your accident
- Build a solid case on your behalf
- Help you recover the full amount of compensation you’re owed
