Most Common Car Accident Injuries & How to Avoid Them

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that more than three million people are injured every year in car collisions across the US. Each car collision is different and the resulting injuries can vary greatly. Some injuries are obvious and don’t require medical attention and go away relatively quickly. Others may not develop for weeks or months after the collision and can require extensive medical treatment, even lifelong care. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, speak to a Las Vegas personal injury attorney immediately.

There are two general categories car collision injuries are placed in. The first category is impact injuries. These are typically caused by direct contact with a person’s body and the interior of the car. The other category is penetrating injuries. These injuries include cuts, scrapes, and impalements. Shattered glass can cause a penetrating injury by creating lesions on the victim. Whatever injury you may fall into, it’s important you speak to a Las Vegas car crash lawyer who has experience fighting and winning fair compensation.

Common Auto Accident Injuries

• Whiplash
  Whiplash is a soft tissue injury of the neck and upper back resulting from the fast change of direction that a body experiences in a car crash.
• Sprains
  Similar to whiplash, the whipping around the body experiences in a car collision can stretch and compress the muscles and ligaments of the body, resulting in strains and sprains in the soft tissue.
• Spinal injury
  When a sprain occurs in the tissues associated with the spine, the injury can be quite serious. The spine is a vital skeletal structure that keeps our body connected to our brain and upright. A sprain or compression associated with the spine can have serious consequences that may take a long time to recover from. This can also result in complete or partial paralysis.
• Lesions
  Loose objects inside the car become projectiles in a high speed car collision. The typical inanimate objects found in most cars, such as beverage containers, cell phones, books, purses, shoes, etc. can fly around the car and collide with passengers. This can result in bruising, scrapes, and cuts. Lesions are typically relatively superficial and can be easily treated. More serious injuries may require stitches and can result in blood loss, which may become quite serious.
• Head injuries
  As the body is thrown about in the car, it may collide with inanimate objects already inside the car, the car window, the steering wheel, or even external elements if the window is rolled down or breaks. Head injuries can range from minor to very severe. As it involves the brain, head injuries can be very difficult to accurately diagnose, treat, and predict. The same quick changes in direction that can cause whiplash and muscle strain may cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull, resulting in brain trauma, such as a concussion. This brain trauma can be very severe depending on the nature of the impact and definitely should have a lawyer involved.
• Chest injuries
  Though this may sound somewhat random and specific, chest injuries are quite common in car collisions. The chest can collide with the steering wheel, resulting in bruises, broken ribs, or even internal damage. Other passengers may have bruising or other injuries due to the seat belt locking. That’s not to say it’s better not to wear a seat belt – chest bruises are much less severe than injuries that may occur without a seat belt.

Preventing Auto Accident Injuries

The number one tip in preventing injuries is to wear a seat belt. Though, during a car accident it may be uncomfortable and cause chest bruising or even a broken collarbone, being without is likely to have much more serious results. Seat belts keep passengers in one spot. When you aren’t wearing a seat belt, you may be thrown from the vehicle or tossed about within. Being tossed into the air during a crash certainly isn’t desirable – who knows what’s going on with traffic and inanimate objects outside the car. If a person is thrown about inside the car, they become dangerous to others and are much more likely to sustain broken bones and head injuries.

Seek Legal Help After An Auto Accident

If you’ve been in a car collision and are suffering from a related injury, be sure to contact a trustworthy and experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Many attorneys will review your case free of charge and can tell you whether you have a chance in court. Medical bills can be substantial and care can take a lot longer than you may think. It’s in your best interest to try to receive whatever financial assistance you’re entitled to for the sake of your health and future.

For over 15 years, Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers have been fighting for victims of accidents throughout Nevada. We understand how life-altering a car accident can be so we do everything in our power to get you the best results. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 or contact us online.