No one wants to be in a car accident. They can be traumatic, stressful and you could become seriously injured. While you could be entitled to compensation and may want to contact a lawyer (such as this Jersey City personal injury lawyer) it’s preferable to avoid an accident to begin with.
It’s important to know the common causes of car accidents, and it’s equally important to know the potential injuries. While they will vary depending on the severity of the accident, it’s useful to know the possibilities. So, what are the most common injuries caused by car accidents?
1) Head injuries
Head injuries are common in car accidents because the head might be thrown against the steering wheel or roof of the car. A concussion is a type of brain injury that occurs when your brain strikes the inside of your skull as a result of a sudden change in movement or momentum. So, watch out for confusion, disorientation or memory loss after a car accident. If this happens you should seek immediate emergency medical attention.
2) Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden movement by the head which is common in car accidents. While whiplash is generally not severe, it can cause a number of problems.
Common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and constant weariness. If you have severe neck pain after a car accident seek medical attention as you may benefit from a neck brace. Whiplash normally subsides within six weeks of the accident but, if not, a doctor should be consulted.
3) Knee trauma
Most people don’t know that knee trauma is a common injury caused by car accidents. However, knee trauma is common because a person might be thrown forwards and hit their knee on the dashboard. This could shatter the kneecap or bend the leg the wrong way.
Less severe knee pain following a car accident might require an appointment with a physiotherapist. They will be able to recommend certain exercises and movements to ease the pain.
4) PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is very common after a car accident. People might find themselves reliving the incident or becoming frightened of driving.
Intrusive or persistent thoughts can be incredibly distressing and, while the person may have recovered from their physical injuries, their mental health should never be overlooked. If you have been in an accident and are worried about your mental health, you may wish to speak to a therapist or counsellor.
5) Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries are referred to as acute injuries, but this doesn’t make them any less painful. They happen when the muscles ligaments or tendons in the body are damaged. Pain, swelling and bruising and loss of function is likely. Most minor soft tissue injuries will heal within a month. You should treat with pain killers, cold compressions and rest.
Another type of injury to soft tissue is cuts from glass. Safety glass has reduced these but they can still happen. You should seek medical treatment to ensure the bleeding is controlled, the wound cleaned and sealed to reduce the risk of infection. If your wounds were dirty then you may be prescribed antibiotics as a precaution.
