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Key Takeaways
- Common car accident injuries include physical injuries like whiplash, brain injuries, and broken bones, as well as emotional effects such as anxiety and depression.
- Always seek medical attention after a car accident, even if you don’t notice injuries right away, as some may develop later due to adrenaline or delayed symptoms.
- Keep documentation of every medical visit and expense, follow all the doctor’s advice, and attend follow-up appointments.
- Return to the doctor if new symptoms appear or worsen.
Common Auto Accident Injuries
Common injuries in car accidents can range from physical harm, such as broken bones or whiplash, to emotional effects like anxiety or fear of driving. These injuries may also lead to unexpected challenges, including time away from work, ongoing medical care, and financial stress. Understanding common car accident injuries can help you protect your health and your ability to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
NST Law Injury Attorneys help people who have suffered both minor and severe injuries after a crash understand their options and pursue justice from the responsible parties.
- Common Auto Accident Injuries
- Common Physical Injuries From Car Accidents
- Emotional and Psychological Injuries From Car Accidents
- Always Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accident Injuries
- Car Accident Injuries: Recovery and Awareness
- Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at NST Law Today
Common Physical Injuries From Car Accidents
Physical injuries are very common in car accidents, and anyone involved in a crash should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some symptoms might be delayed or masked by adrenaline, but injuries can develop over time. Seeking medical care early helps prevent injuries from worsening and creates a record of your condition and treatment.
Recent Tennessee crash data shows that tens of thousands of car accidents each year result in injuries, including many that involve serious harm such as nerve damage, internal bleeding, or crush injuries. Below are some of the most common physical injuries people suffer in car crashes.
Neck injuries and whiplash
The impact of a car accident can cause a person’s head to jerk suddenly, resulting in neck pain or whiplash due to sudden back-and-forth movements. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from a car crash and may cause serious pain and discomfort, including headaches, stiffness, difficulty moving, and muscle spasms. If left untreated, it can sometimes develop into chronic pain.
Spinal injuries
A collision can cause damage to the spine, including sprains, fractures, or herniated discs. Typical signs of spinal injuries and herniated discs include back pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, and restricted movement.
Brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur in a car accident when the head is struck or jolted, and the brain moves within the skull. Common symptoms of concussions and other mild brain injuries include headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and nausea. Severe traumatic brain injuries have similar symptoms but can be more intense, inducing seizures, vomiting, personality changes, severe mood swings, and loss of coordination. These head-trauma symptoms might not be immediately obvious or may be delayed, but they can prompt long-term effects on cognitive and physical abilities.
Soft tissue injuries
Sprains, strains, cuts, or bruises often occur after a sudden impact or the force of a collision. These injuries can happen anywhere in the body, leading to pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling, and bruising.
Broken bones
Fractures or broken bones can be caused by crushing or impact during a collision. Fractures cause sudden, intense pain, swelling, bruising, an inability to use the limb, or numbness. Some serious breaks may even poke through the skin or require surgery to heal.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries From Car Accidents
Car accident victims can experience more than just physical pain. Car crashes, even minor ones, are traumatic events, and it’s normal for victims to experience mental trauma and emotional and psychological impacts in the aftermath. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often reported by those who have been in accidents.
Mental trauma can manifest uniquely in each person, but typical signs include feelings of intense nervousness, sadness, guilt, sleep difficulties, mood swings, and avoidance behaviors.
If you experience anxiety or depression after a car accident, you’re not alone, but recovering mentally can take time. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as spending time with loved ones, engaging in mindful activities like walking or yoga, and maintaining a consistent routine. Some victims find that working with a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist can help them process what happened and develop new coping strategies.
Long-Term Effects or Complications
Some car crash injuries can lead to complications or long-term effects. Injuries such as whiplash, back injuries, or neck injuries may develop into chronic pain or limit your mobility. Traumatic brain injuries can cause cognitive changes, mood shifts, or other challenges that significantly affect your life, and symptoms may sometimes be delayed.
Even if you receive medical care right away, some injuries can still develop into long-term issues, which is why ongoing monitoring and documentation are important.
Always Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident
Even if you don’t think you were hurt in an accident, you should always get medical care in the days after a car crash because there may be delayed symptoms or hidden injuries. Make sure to get documentation of your injuries and request a copy of your paperwork from every doctor’s visit following an accident.
After being involved in a car accident, you can receive medical care from:
- Emergency rooms, for severe injuries, broken bones, head trauma, or internal injuries
- Urgent care clinics, for minor or soft tissue injuries or delayed symptoms
- Primary care physicians, for minor injuries or follow-up appointments
If your injuries are severe or make it difficult to move, it’s important to call an ambulance immediately—if you are able. If you do not go by ambulance, the emergency room is the best way to get fast care for serious injuries or symptoms such as persistent chest pain, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, or persistent dizziness.
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accident Injuries
The questions below address some of the most common concerns we hear from people after a car accident. Your situation is unique, but these answers can give you a starting point for understanding what you may be experiencing.
Can Minor Car Accidents Still Result in Serious Injuries?
Yes, minor accidents can certainly cause significant injuries. Even low-speed crashes that don’t cause much damage to a vehicle can involve sudden impacts that physically jolt you, resulting in injuries.
How Soon After An Accident Can Symptoms Appear?
After a car accident, some injuries can appear immediately in the form of broken bones or cuts, while others, such as spinal injuries, whiplash, or concussions, may not be as obvious. These injuries can have delayed symptoms, as adrenaline typically is high after an accident, dulling pain.
Can A Car Accident Cause Back Injuries That Develop Later?
Yes, back injuries can develop after a car accident and often have delayed symptoms. Some back injuries may not be apparent at first, but as you return to your normal activities, pain can flare.
How Should I Document My Injuries For Legal Or Insurance Purposes?
Document your injuries by taking photos of any visible injuries, requesting paperwork from every doctor’s visit, and keeping track of your medical records and bills. It is also wise to start an injury journal to regularly track your daily symptoms, pain level, and how your injuries have impacted your daily routines.
What Should I Do If My Symptoms Get Worse Weeks After The Accident?
Return to your doctor, urgent care, or the hospital emergency room if your symptoms worsen after a car accident. An injury might have been overlooked during your initial medical treatment, and you should seek care immediately if you’re not feeling better to prevent your condition from worsening.
Car Accident Injuries: Recovery and Awareness
Once you receive initial medical care after a car accident, stay alert to how you’re feeling, especially if your symptoms worsen or if new ones appear. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice and any treatment plan they give you. Attend all follow-up or rehabilitation appointments and maintain documentation for these appointments.
Be your best advocate by asking questions to medical professionals. Some injuries may trigger significant life changes, and you deserve to understand the full extent of your injuries and their implications. Some important questions to ask might be:
- What are all of my injuries?
- What is my recovery or treatment plan?
- Am I able to return to work?
- How long will it take to recover?
- Do I have any limitations?
If your injuries are affecting your work, family life, or daily routines, it may be time to learn more about your legal options and what support is available.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at NST Law Today
With over 35 years of experience, 175 dedicated lawyers and staff, and billions won for injured clients, we are committed to providing exceptional legal services with compassionate client care, guided by our Six Pillars of NST Law, which shape how we support you from the start of your case to resolution.
Our car accident attorneys will handle the legal details and work to pursue fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You don’t need to face recovery from a collision alone—hear directly from those we’ve helped by exploring our client testimonials.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, contact NST Law today for a free consultation or call (800) 529-4004.
