America is a car-obsessed nation. Many homes have multiple vehicles, sometimes one for every member of the household. As a result, car accidents are common – too common in the US. In the United States, an estimated almost 41,000 people died in 2023 from car accidents, and this does not account for the injuries that can have long-term effects physical and mental effects. Below are some of the most common injuries you can sustain in an accident. Many of them can be life-changing.
1- Traumatic Brain Injury
A TBI occurs when brain tissue is injured by the force of the impact. You may hit your head on the vehicle’s interior, or your head may snap forward and hit the inside of your skull. These injuries can be mild and require little or no treatment, or they can cause permanent brain damage and limit your abilities. To be safe, a medical professional should examine you after an accident.
2- Fractures
Fractures are commonly suffered during an accident, even when your car has the latest safety equipment. Sometimes, the airbags and the seatbelts can harm you. Broken ribs are a common injury as are broken arms and legs. In a serious accident, the force can break bones in your neck and back. Some fractures may heal within a month or so while others can take much longer to mend.
3- Whiplash
Car accidents can cause serious soft tissue damage such as whiplash, or a neck sprain, caused by your head “whipping” back and forth violently. The effects of whiplash may be almost immediately apparent or they may not emerge for a few days or weeks. The pain can be significant and limit your range of motion for some time. Whiplash patients often feel the effects for years.
4- Internal Organ Damage
The impact of a serious crash can cause damage to your liver, kidneys, spleen, etc. Your seatbelt can both save you from harm and injure you internally. Rollover accidents, truck accidents, and multi-vehicle accidents can all seriously injure you. You may require surgery to repair these physical issues, which can limit your ability to work. Plus, recovery time can be lengthy. These injuries are some of the most serious ones stemming from a vehicle accident.
5- PTSD
Some accidents may injure you mentally and emotionally as well as physically. The terror caused by a serious crash and the strain of recovery can cause you to develop post-traumatic stress syndrome. Your anxiety may skyrocket, making it difficult or impossible to drive again. You may experience depression and other mental effects as well.
When to Seek Help
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should seek medical attention. In addition, contact a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies are often hesitant to pay out enough to cover all of your expenses, including time off of work. Also, some injuries take time to emerge. If you settle your claim without help, you may not get what you need long-term. Any time you are in an accident, your body and mind suffer. Protect yourself by hiring professionals.
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