Last Updated on November 18, 2022 by
Getting involved in a car accident is a nightmare no matter which way you slice it. They are costly, traumatizing, and potentially life-changing events, especially when they result in injury.
Car accident causes are as varied as the resulting injuries. Most car accident injuries fall into one of two categories: impact injuries and penetrative injuries.
An impact injury occurs when a person’s body comes into contact with the car interior. A penetrative injury occurs when broken and loose objects in the car penetrate a person’s body.
Here is what you need to know about the most common auto accident injuries.
Cuts and Scrapes
Hardly anyone survives a car accident without so much as a cut or a scrape. They are the most ubiquitous car accident injuries of all.
The difference between a scrape and a cut is simple: a cut is an incision in the skin, while a scrape tears several layers of skin.
Most cuts and scrapes occur when broken and loose objects inside of a vehicle come into contact with the skin upon impact.
Soft Tissue Damage
Soft tissue injury is one of the more widespread types of car accident injuries. They occur in everything from minor to fatal car accidents.
A soft tissue injury is anything that inflicts trauma on the skin, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Whiplash is the most common injury to fall under the category of soft tissue damage.
Bone Injuries
Bone injuries are the next most common type of auto accident injuries. Broken legs, arms, ribs, wrists, and ankles occur often. A broken pelvis is a possibility as well.
Loss of limb is nearly as common as broken bones.
Head Injuries
Head trauma is one of the most common fatal car accident injuries. Almost 200 people in the U.S. die from car accident head injuries each day.
Head injuries often occur when a person’s head strikes the windshield, steering wheel, or side window of the car.
Facial Trauma
Head injuries often coincide with facial trauma. Broken glass and making an impact with a hard surface like a windshield can cause facial lacerations and disfigurement.
In many cases, the best way to treat facial trauma from car accident injuries is with surgery. To find out more about treatments for facial trauma, click here.
Chest Injuries
In addition to head injuries, chest injuries are another common and severe type of auto accident injury. Car crashes can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
Drivers are at a higher risk of injury to the chest because of their proximity to the steering wheel in the event of a car accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries to Know About
Car accident injuries can range from something as minor as a cut to whiplash, broken bones, collapsed lungs, and traumatic brain injury. Always wear your seatbelt and remain alert while driving a vehicle.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, seek medical attention right away. Car accident injuries can seem minor at first, only to become critical before there is anything that can be done.
It’s in your best interest to get a medical examination even if you feel fine after a car accident. Want more great articles like this? If so, check out the rest of our website!