Some car crashes occur at relatively low speeds. A fender bender in a parking lot might only cause minor cosmetic damage to the vehicles involved. Crashes at higher speeds or involving vehicles of significantly different sizes are more likely to lead to injury for the people in the vehicles.
Car crashes are one of the top causes of debilitating or catastrophic injuries in the United States. The following are the most common kinds of physical harm caused by such wrecks.
Minor bruises, scrapes and contusions
Many times, the only injuries that people have are minor and topical. They may have bruises from striking their elbow on the window or cuts from debris or flying objects in the vehicle. People may require stitches and may have some pain that limits their functional abilities for a brief time after the crash, but those with minor injuries are likely to make a full recovery.
Broken bones
The force involved in a car crash is easily enough to damage someone’s bones. Many people brace themselves when they realize a crash is about to occur. The actions they take might actually increase the severity of the injuries they incur. Fractures are sometimes simple injuries that require minimal medical intervention. Other times, they are more extreme and may require surgery and extensive rehabilitative support.
Soft tissue injuries
There are several types of soft tissue injuries possible after a crash, some of which are more serious than others. People are quite familiar with whiplash, which involves injury to the musculoskeletal system caused by abrupt movements of a vehicle. Other people may develop internal bleeding due to restraints and blunt force trauma during a crash. Some soft tissue injuries can put people’s lives at risk, making a prompt response crucial for the best chance at a full recovery.
Traumatic brain injuries
People can strike their heads on part of the vehicle or experience violent shaking motions during collisions. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause a variety of different debilitating symptoms. They do not typically respond to treatment, meaning that people have lifelong challenges after acquiring a TBI.
Spinal cord injuries
The extreme force involved in a car crash is enough to cause spinal cord injuries. These injuries can cause paralysis when the injury severs the spinal cord or permanent functional limitations when the injury is incomplete.
Some of these injuries can be difficult to accurately diagnose at the scene of a crash. People often need to see a medical professional to rule out serious injuries after a collision. Requesting compensation from the party at fault for a crash can reduce the financial inconvenience a wreck causes for someone who isn’t at fault for an injurious collision.