Car accidents can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle and other property. Unfortunately, car accidents can also result in a wide variety of injuries. The type of injury you suffer in a car accident will depend on various factors. These include among other things:
- The type of collision
- The force of the impact
- Any safety features in the vehicle
- Your location in the vehicle
Victims of car accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries. However, there are some injuries that are more common than others when it comes to car accidents. These include the following:
- Chest injuries
The law requires the occupants of a vehicle to wear safety belts to protect their upper torso from injury. Vehicles today are also fitted with airbags to provide additional protection to those seated in the front of the vehicle. However, air bags can be a source of danger for the occupants of the car.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set regulations to guide the design and manufacture of airbags. These regulations include guidelines on deployment speeds. According to General Motors however, the average airbag deploys at a speed of 200 mph. This exposes the car occupants to great force. Occupants may experience chest bruising, cracked or broken ribs, cardiac arrest or collapsed lungs as a result of the impact of the airbag during an accident. These types of chest injuries are common.
- Neck injuries
These are some of the most common injuries associated with car accidents. However, the symptoms of neck injuries often only become apparent several days or even weeks following the accident. Victims often experience symptoms, such as headaches, stiffness, numbness and pain. Some of the most common neck injuries include whiplash and herniated discs.
- Back injuries
These injuries occur as a result of the impact of the vehicle colliding with another vehicle or object. They can occur even when the occupants of the car were wearing their safety belts. Some of the most common back injuries include herniated discs, fractures, sprains and strains. Injuries can range from mild to severe. However, mild injuries can easily progress into the severe category if left untreated. In some cases, the motor vehicle accident will involve such a forceful impact that it results in a spinal cord injury which may result in paralysis.
- Head injuries
Head injuries can be sustained during collisions. Some collisions are so severe that they result in immediate traumatic brain injury. However, even if this is not the case, you may still have suffered a brain injury from the impact. Some car accident victims don’t realize that they have sustained a head injury right after the accident. In some cases the symptoms are not immediately apparent. Victims may experience memory loss, impaired speech or suffer blurred vision after a collision. Seeking medical attention will ensure that head injuries are detected early.