Motor vehicle accidents can result in serious injuries. This is true even at very low speeds.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most airbags deploy at 16 mph for belted occupants. Seatbelts on their own are inadequate to prevent serious injuries at higher rates of travel.
Unfortunately, drivers and the occupants of vehicles can still suffer serious injury in the event of an accident. If you have been injured in a crash, you should see a doctor promptly and you should consult a motor vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
10 Common Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto accidents can cause all kinds of serious injuries, from brain trauma to broken bones. Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents include:
1. Broken Bones
Even at the lowest speeds at which airbags are set to deploy, the forces involved in a collision are still more than enough to cause broken bones. In fact, even at lower speeds, many drivers and passengers – children and the elderly in particular – can be at risk for suffering bone fractures. This encompasses bone fractures in all parts of the body, including broken ankles, wrists, arms, legs, fingers, toes, ribs, collar bones, and vertebrae.
2. Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can occur in isolation or in connection with broken bones. These include sprains, strains, and tears of muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body. While sprains and strains can often heal with rest and rehabilitation, soft tissue tears will frequently require surgery.
3. Facial Injuries
Facial injuries are common for both front seat and back seat occupants. Severe cuts and bruises are particularly common, and many drivers and passengers may suffer broken teeth, lost teeth, facial fractures, eye and ear injuries, and other types of injury to the head, face, and mouth.
4. Burns, Lacerations, and Scarring
Burns from friction, airbag deployment, and fires can have painful and debilitating effects, and they can leave drivers and passengers with lifelong scars. The same is true of severe lacerations resulting from broken plastic, broken glass, and flying debris.
5. Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can also have many debilitating effects. While concussions and other relatively mild forms of TBI may be temporary, motor vehicle accident victims must be careful to mitigate their risk of long-term consequences.
In addition to chronic pain and cognitive impairments, depression is a concern as well. All forms of TBI require prompt and thorough treatment by an experienced medical professional.
6. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can range from inflammation that triggers lower back pain to fractures that result in permanent paralysis. In between, there are various types of injuries to the spinal cord that can easily result from the forces involved in motor vehicle accidents.
Contrary to popular belief, back pain is not “normal” after a motor vehicle accident. Anyone who is experiencing pain or limited mobility following an accident should see a doctor right away.
7. Whiplash
Whiplash is a condition that is characterized by a combination of injuries to the soft tissue and nerves in the upper back and neck. While most motor vehicle accident victims who experience whiplash will fully recover, the recovery process takes time. You may miss days or weeks from work in order to rest and rehabilitate fully.
8. Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a potentially serious medical condition that can be symptomatic of a variety of different types of injuries. Changes in pulse or breathing, internal pain, tender or swollen body parts, and pale or cool skin are all signs that emergency medical treatment may be necessary.
9. Organ Damage
In many cases, internal bleeding will be the result of organ damage. In motor vehicle accidents, drivers and passengers can suffer damage to the lungs, stomach, liver, reproductive organs, and other organs throughout the body. In addition to the signs of internal bleeding, organ dysfunction following an accident (i.e., difficulty breathing or inability to go to the bathroom) is a sign that you should see a doctor right away.
10. Emotional Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
While physical injuries are the most immediate concern following a motor vehicle accident, it is important not to overlook the risk of psychological harm as well. Being involved in a collision is a traumatic event, and it can have impacts beyond the common injuries discussed above. Emotional trauma can lead to depression, anxiety, and other effects, and many motor vehicle accident victims also suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Similar to physical injuries, compensation may be recoverable for psychological harm suffered as a result of a collision as well. If you have been involved in an accident, it is important to work with an experienced lawyer who can help you seek the full compensation you deserve.
Contact a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
The aftermath of a vehicle accident can be overwhelming. The attorneys at Ventura Law have recovered millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of clients who have been injured or lost loved ones in motor vehicle accidents.
For a free case review, please call Ventura Law at (203) 800-8000 today. Our motor vehicle accident lawyers serve clients throughout Connecticut, including Danbury, Bridgeport, Hartford, and Norwalk, and New York.