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The type of injury a person might sustain depends largely on the type and severity of an accident. While a person might not sustain any injuries at all in a minor rear-end collision, accidents like rollovers and head-on collisions are often catastrophic or deadly. 

Below, are a few common types of car accident injuries and how they occur:

Head Injuries

Head injuries, also known as traumatic brain injuries, frequently occur when a driver or passenger’s head strikes the steering wheel, dash, or another fixed object inside the car. Permanent brain injury can result when the head rapidly whips forward and back, known as a coup contrecoup injury. They can also happen when drivers are ejected from the vehicle. If the force of the collision is strong enough, a head injury can occur even with proper seat belt use and airbag deployment.

The recovery from a head injury can be long and painful, with medical bills stretching into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. In many cases, traumatic brain injury victims never fully recover.

Spinal Injuries

The spine controls nerve passageways through your body. An injury to it can cause problems with movement, feeling, and gait, among other things. 

A common spinal injury in car accidents is whiplash. You often see it in rear-end collisions when a driver or passenger’s head suddenly and unexpectedly whips forward and back. Like head injuries, spinal injuries often have a long, painful, and costly recovery process. In some cases, victims live with chronic pain and muscle weakness for the rest of their lives.

If an accident is severe enough, victims may fracture vertebrae or even become paralyzed.

Other Common Injuries

The impact from a car accident can also result in: 

  • Broken bones
  • Severe lacerations (cuts) and contusions (bruises)
  • Torn ligaments
  • Dislocated joints
  • Skin abrasions and burns

The rate and severity of injury for motorcyclists as well as drivers not properly secured with safety belts is significantly higher. 

Emotional Injuries

Most people only consider the physical effects of a car accident; however, the emotional effects can be worse in some situations. Many car accident victims report anxiety or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following serious accidents, especially those in which a friend or loved one died or in which there is a triggered response from a previous traumatic event of near death experience.

Some drivers also become depressed or suffer from panic attacks when they drive. These emotional injuries can be just as limiting as a physical injury.  

Speak to an attorney for help recovering compensation today.

No matter the nature of your injury or how severe it is, a personal injury lawyer can protect your interests after a car accident. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, there could be unexpected symptoms — which might lead to higher medical bills — down the road. An attorney can help you hold the responsible party accountable for damages that include not only current expenses associated with the crash, but also any costs you might incur in the future.

The latest statistics indicate our roads are getting less safe. A good personal injury lawyer can fight for you if you find yourself among the growing number of people hurt in a car accident.