Common Car Accident Injuries

 

 

Car accidents lead to a variety of different injuries. However, there are some injuries that are more common than others. These injuries range from small scrapes and bruises to more severe, life threatening injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over three million people are injured in car accidents every year in the United States. Factors such as failing to wear a seat belt and the direction a vehicle was hit from contributes to the severity of an injury. The most common car accident injuries include:

  • Scrapes and Cuts: Scrapes and cuts are bound to happen in a car accident. When you get into an accident, objects in your car can get knocked loose and contact your skin; these scrapes and cuts may be deep enough to require stitches.
  • Head and Back Injuries: The possibility of hitting your head on the steering wheel, window, or dashboard is always a possibility when in an accident and can be fatal. Hitting your head can cause injuries, such as concussions, a coma, or other traumatic brain injuries. A back injury may lead to spinal cord damage, which may cause paralysis or loss of sensation in areas such as the legs, feet, hands, and other body parts.
  • Whiplash: Whiplash is a sudden movement that causes muscles and ligaments in the neck to stretch. Whiplash may also cause soft tissue injuries in the back.
  • Chest Injuries: Blunt force trauma to the chest may cause internal damage, as well as broken ribs and bruising. When in a car accident, your chest may be forced against the steering wheel or seat belt, causing severe damage.
  • Crush Injuries: Car accidents can cause certain body parts to get caught between two objects. The pressure from these objects can cause crush injuries, both mild and severe.
  • Arm and Leg Injuries: Broken bones, scrapes, or sprains are common arm and leg injuries both drivers and pedestrians may sustain when involved in a car accident.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Not all accidents are physical or immediate. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that is normally triggered by a traumatic event. Many people may find themselves suffering emotionally and mentally because of their involvement in a car accident.

Seeking Medical Treatment

Seeking medical treatment immediately after an accident is important, even if you feel fine. Sometimes, injuries do not show up until days or even weeks later. It is also important to seek medical treatment if you are planning on filing a claim because insurance companies will need medical documentation.

DC Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Represent Victims Injured in Car Accidents

If you or someone you know was in a car accident, contact a DC car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. Our experienced lawyers will fight for your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 202-331-1963 today. Located in Washington, DC, we proudly serve clients throughout DC and Maryland.