11 of the Most Common Car Accident Injuries

The human body can be fragile and an unnatural event like a car accident can do damage in a number of ways. Some people are lucky enough to escape with only superficial wounds, while others may suffer serious injuries that require lifelong care. No matter how severe your own crash, seeking out a car accident doctor in Jonesboro will help you assess any injuries you may be facing and give you the best tools possible to heal.

Cuts, Bruises, and Road Rash

Upon impact, any items in a car can become projectiles that may cut or bruise passengers. Broken glass, scraps of sheet metal, seatbelts, and airbags can all also cause injury upon contact. When something is dragged across the skin or the skin is dragged against pavement, road rash can also occur.

Burns

The most common way to sustain burns is when a vehicle catches fire after a crash, but it can also occur when the skin comes in contact with hot fluids or chemicals, or hot surfaces like car exhausts.

Soft Tissue Injuries

This category may include sprains, strains, bruises, or tears to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the body. These are very common because of the unnatural, quick movements an impact can cause in the body. Soft tissue injuries can be painful but usually heal well.

Back Injuries

The spine is not designed to sustain heavy impact, meaning back injuries are commonly a result of accidents. One example is a herniated disc, in which the discs that separate vertebrae are pushed out of place, causing back pain and potential future back issues. Back injuries may not be apparent immediately following a crash, so it’s important to monitor your symptoms for days following the incident.

Neck Injuries

Various soft tissue injuries may occur near the neck, but the most common issue with the neck is whiplash. This is neck pain that occurs because of a torn or sprained ligament, which usually happens due to the jerking movements an accident can cause. More severe damage may occur when cervical dislocation or disk injury occurs in the neck.

Knee Injuries

When sitting in a car, knees are in proximity to the dashboard, doors, steering wheel, and other areas that may be smashed in a collision. Knees can be bruised or suffer from more severe issues like fractures in a number of places. The cartilage in the knee can also tear if the leg were to be twisted abruptly.

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Because the legs are under the dashboard, there is a risk of the legs and feet being crushed or otherwise injured if the structure of the vehicle is compromised. Bracing for impact can also cause ankles or feet to face pressure and break. Unnatural movements may also cause sprains and strains in the ankle. Any extremities are vulnerable, especially ones with smaller more delicate bones.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

When the brain suffers a blow, this can lead to a TBI. While this often happens due to the head slamming into a car, it can also happen if the brain is jostled during sudden movement and hits against the skull. TBIs can range from very mild concussions to severe injuries that impact cognition and should always be evaluated.

Shoulder Injuries

If we see the impact coming, many of us will instinctually hold our arms out to brace ourselves. When they are stretched out against the steering wheel or dashboard, the force upon impact can often cause shoulders to lock in position as they receive that force. Shoulders can easily suffer soft tissue injuries this way, as well as fractures and shoulder dislocation.

Wrist and Hand Injuries

The bones in the wrist are extremely fragile, meaning they are a very common bone to break or fracture in accidents. Fingers can also easily break or be trapped between crushed pieces of a car. Depending on the severity of these injuries, surgery can be necessary because of the delicate nature of the wrists and hands.

Internal Injuries

When the body hits something forcefully, damage can be caused beneath the surface. In some cases, the pressure of being restrained by a seatbelt can cause the same result. When the abdomen specifically is crashed into something hard, the organs in that area may begin to bleed internally and need immediate treatment.

Even if you feel fine after an accident, seeking out care can be important to make sure there is nothing going unnoticed. At AICA Jonesboro, our team of specialists has treated all sorts of injuries resulting from car accidents and will be able to personalize a plan for you. You will have access to our chiropractors, orthopedists, neurologists, and a number of other experts. Call us today to schedule your first visit and address any problems early.