Car accidents can be a traumatic experience and often lead to injuries, which may be severe. Some minor injuries like cuts and bruises may not require serious medical attention and are mostly not considered when filling a personal injury claim. However, more severe injuries can result in chronic pain, hospitalisation, surgery, and even death. Here are some of the most common insurable injuries that occur after a car accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a very common traumatic injury to the neck that often occurs when the car is hit from behind. It is caused by the, leading to pain, stiffness, soft tissue damage, broken spine and neck bones, ruptured discs, nerve damage, and headaches. Many people recover a few weeks after intense treatment and medication, but some can be unlucky and suffer the effects of whiplash many years after the accident.
Since whiplash injuries are sustained when your car is hit from behind, it’s always mostly evident that the other driver is responsible for the hit. This means you can easily win a compensation case against the driver if you work with experienced personal injury lawyers like the Chaffin Luhana LLP injury lawyers.
Traumatic brain injury
The jarring motion of a car accident can cause the brain to bounce around inside your skull, leading to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This type of injury can range from mild ( a temporary concussion) to severe (permanent damage to the brain). Symptoms of TBI can include headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, and memory loss. While traumatic brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate, and severe, each level of injury can lead to serious health problems and thus require immediate medical attention.
Spinal cord injury
A broken back or neck is one of the most serious injuries resulting from a car accident. The sudden jolt and collision often cause the bones in your spine to break or dislodge. More severe spinal injury cases can lead to the paralysis of the hand, arms, legs, and pelvic girdle. Here are some of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury you can look out for:
- Impaired breathing
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Intense back or neck pain
- Numbness or paralysis in the extremities
- Distorted neck or back position
- Dizziness
While some spine injuries are immediately apparent, others may not show symptoms days or weeks later. It’s essential to be aware of these signs and symptoms so you can get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries are more dangerous than external ones as you don’t easily notice them after the accident. These can include injuries to the stomach, spleen, or liver. Internal injuries often don’t show any symptoms immediately following the accident and may only become apparent when the person starts vomiting blood or has intense pain in their abdomen. Besides treating your visible external injuries, it’s best to ask for a body scan for internal injuries to help manage some that might be there early enough.
If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries, such as whiplash and internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent but can still cause long-term damage. It’s better to be safe and have a professional check you out after an accident.
Alicia Saville did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
