Whiplash & Neck Injuries
Whiplash occurs when the neck violently whips back and forth. Motorists and passengers often experience this during rear-end car accidents. Whiplash can leave victims with pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and even cognitive difficulties. Speeds as low as 15 MPH can cause whiplash, with or without a seatbelt. Severe disk injury and cervical dislocation can also result from car accidents.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The impact of a crash on the body can cause long-term disability from spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries involve damage to any part of your spinal cord or the nerves at the end of your spinal canal. This type of injury often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other bodily functions below the injury site. It can also limit your ability to move or control your limbs.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are a common result of car accidents, and the pain and disability from a serious back injury can be serious and long-lasting. Back injuries may be delayed in showing up after an accident. Back injuries can be difficult to treat and may require long-term care and rehabilitation for pain management.
Cuts, Scrapes, & Bruises
During a car accident, cuts, scrapes, and bruises can occur when loose objects or broken glass fly around the interior of a vehicle and hit the body. In severe cases, deep cuts may require stitches. Airbags and seatbelts frequently cause substantial bruising as well. Car accident victims may also suffer from road rash, which is an abrasion caused by friction from being dragged or skidding on pavement or concrete.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Many car accident victims suffer strains, sprains, and tears to soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Although these injuries may seem minor, they can result in painful, long-term symptoms and may require rehabilitation and lifelong treatment.
Burns
If a vehicle catches fire after a crash, or if skin comes into contact with hot fluids, surfaces, steam or chemicals, the car’s occupants can suffer burns. Very severe burns may require surgery and skin grafting. These injuries can be extremely painful and, in some cases, disfiguring, requiring multiple reconstructive treatments.
