Traffic accidents can result in individuals sustaining injuries that may last anywhere from months to a lifetime.
The scary part?
Many motorists are unaware of just how prevalent these injuries are – and how severe they can become. The NHTSA estimates that approximately 39,345 individuals lost their lives in traffic collisions across the U.S. in 2024. But that number only represents fatalities. Millions more suffer injuries that impact their lives daily.
Here’s the good news:
By learning about the most frequent injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, you can be aware of what to look for and what to do following a wreck.
Here’s what’s inside:
- Why Understanding Fault Matters After A Crash
- The Most Common Traffic Collision Injuries
- When Medical Help Is A Must
Why Understanding Fault Matters After A Crash
Before jumping into the injuries themselves…
Ok, before diving in, there’s a topic to address. When it comes to car accidents, fault is everything. Fault determines who covers medical expenses, lost income, and treatment costs.
Here’s why this matters:
Nobody should have to pay medical bills for a crash they didn’t cause. Determination of fault affects every aspect of car accidents, from insurance claims to personal injury lawsuits – and if you don’t understand fault, you could lose thousands of dollars. That’s why thousands of injured motorists hire an auto accident attorney in Dallas each year (and choose local attorneys throughout the U.S.) following a serious accident. Your attorney can establish who was at fault, negotiate with insurance companies and ensure you receive compensation for your injuries.
Now to the injuries themselves…
Whiplash & Neck Injuries
Whiplash is clearly the most prevalent injury resulting from motor vehicle accidents. This occurs when the head is suddenly forced forward and then backward – typically during rear-end collisions.
Common whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches (often at the base of the skull)
- Reduced range of motion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Here’s the kicker:
Symptoms of whiplash may not be immediate. They can take days or even weeks to develop. This is why it’s critical to visit your doctor after any accident – even minor ones like fender benders. If left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain that will last you decades.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries rank among the worst types of injuries you can suffer in a crash. They occur when your head strikes an object (think steering wheel or window) or when your brain violently moves within your skull.
Wait till you see these stats. Car crashes result in an estimated 200,000 TBIs every year, not to mention thousands of deaths and hospitalizations.
TBI symptoms can range from mild to severe:
- Confusion or memory problems
- Loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Persistent headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mood changes
And here’s what most people don’t realise…
TBIs don’t always require some blunt object ramming into your head. Whiplash can jolt your brain enough to hit your skull, causing traumatic brain injury. That explains why so many concussions go unnoticed after minor accidents. Brain injuries can lead to chronic cognitive disorders, memory loss and personality changes when left untreated.
Broken Bones & Fractures
The impact from a car accident can cause your bones to break. This can happen to any area on your body. However, the most frequent fractures are:
- Ribs
- Arms and wrists
- Legs and ankles
- Collarbones
- Facial bones
Some breaks respond well to just a cast. Others require surgery and pins and plates followed by months of rehabilitation. The type of fracture you suffer depends on the velocity, angle, and force of the impact – and how well your seatbelts and airbags worked. Rib fractures are very common during frontal collisions due to compression from the seatbelt.
Spinal Cord & Back Injuries
Back injuries can change your life. During a collision, your spine absorbs extreme amounts of force. A minor twist or impact can harm discs, nerves and even your spinal cord.
The most common back injuries from collisions are:
- Herniated discs
- Pinched nerves
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal cord damage (which can cause paralysis)
Back injuries can be tricky because…
It often starts small and progressively gets worse. Many people disregard soreness as usual aches and discover weeks later they have a serious injury. If you are experiencing back pain following a collision, see a doctor immediately. Healing from spinal injuries takes months of physical therapy – and some don’t ever recover completely.
Cuts, Bruises & Soft Tissue Damage
Not all injuries require hospitalization. However, lacerations, abrasions, and soft tissue injuries are still worth taking notice. They can result from:
- Broken glass
- Deployed airbags
- Loose objects flying around the cabin
- Seat belts pulling tight
Airbags save lives but deploy with enough force to cause burns and bruising across the chest, face, and arms. Bruises from seatbelts are extremely common after high speed impacts as well. They leave an often ugly diagonal stripe across your chest. Deep lacerations from broken glass can cause scarring if left untreated.
Emotional & Psychological Injuries
Here’s something a lot of people miss…
Car crash injuries aren’t always physical. Emotional scarring is possible – and it can linger just as long as a broken limb. Common psychological injuries include:
- PTSD
- Anxiety around driving
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
Traumatic brain injuries aren’t the only thing that can come out of a wreck. Psychological trauma can be just as devastating as physical wounds. If you find yourself getting overly anxious when driving, having flashbacks of the accident or feeling uneasy about driving at all, you may want to speak to someone about it. Psychological injuries are often ignored by insurance companies. But they are just as legitimate as bodily injuries – and just as necessary to heal.
When Medical Help Is A Must
Not sure if you need medical attention after a crash? Follow this simple rule…
If in doubt, get checked out.
Some injuries can cause symptoms that don’t appear until much later. Delaying medical treatment can make these injuries worse. Seek medical attention right away if you experience:
- Headaches that won’t go away
- Neck or back pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Confusion or memory issues
- Bruising that spreads
Taking your child to the ER for even minor issues can help catch things early and establish a paper trail if you need to file an insurance claim later. That paper trail can mean everything in proving liability and receiving just compensation.
Rounding It Off
Motor vehicle crashes can result in any number of injuries. These injuries range from mild bruises to severe brain trauma. Here are the most common injuries to look out for:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal and back injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and soft tissue damage
- Emotional and psychological trauma
The key takeaway?
Seek medical attention following a crash. Document your injuries, seek treatment, and know who caused the wreck. It’s the only way to ensure you take care of your health, finances, and legal rights following a serious accident.