Some people walk away from serious motor vehicle accidents without a single scratch, while others who get into minor accidents experience severe, life-altering injuries. There is no firm way to predict vehicular accident injury outcomes.
Indicators like road surface, speed, wearing of seatbelts, and crash direction can factor into the seriousness of an accident. Here are some injuries you might incur after a motor vehicle accident:
Head injuries
A vehicle accident’s impact can cause severe damage to the head. It moves with great force in sudden and unnatural movements. Colliding with something during an accident can also lead to serious head injuries. While airbags minimize the risk of head injuries, there is no guarantee that you will not experience one after an accident, according to a Kansas City personal injury attorney from the Devkota Law Firm.
Your head can collide with a window when a car is struck from the side. Without airbags, your head could strike the steering wheel. Someone not wearing a seatbelt can be thrown so far forward during an accident that they hit their head on the windshield. These head injuries could include skull fractures, brain swelling, and concussions.
Chest injuries
The impact of smashing into a steering wheel or dashboard of a car without airbags can cause chest injuries. A seat belt might also cause minor chest injuries from the force of restraining the wearer’s body during impact.
Chest injuries can be serious, including cracked or broken ribs, internal bleeding, and collapsed lungs. These may only present themselves a while after the accident, and personal injury law firms suggest that victims report to a hospital immediately after an accident to ensure that they have not sustained life-threatening injuries.
Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve connective tissue, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are easily incurred during an accident and far more likely than bone fractures or breakage.
One of the most common soft tissue injuries to expect after a motor vehicle accident is a whiplash. It is caused by damage to neck muscles from the violent movement they endure during impact. Muscles around the spine can also be affected after an accident due to soft tissue damage.
Soft tissue injuries should be taken seriously as they can have permanent effects if not treated appropriately. Unfortunately, these injuries are often challenging to prove in court. Clients need to maintain documentary evidence of their injuries to substantiate a personal injury claim.
Cuts and bruises
It is perfectly normal to sustain some cuts and bruises after an accident. Any loose items in the vehicle become projectiles during impact and can hit a victim anywhere on their body. Shattering glass from broken windows could also scratch or cut the skin.
These injuries tend to be superficial and require little if any, medical attention. However, deep cuts should be treated at an ER where a doctor can suture them so they can heal.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
While most people tend to focus on the physical injuries sustained during an accident, they should also consider the psychological effects on some people. PTSD is quite common in people who have been in major accidents, although it can affect anyone, regardless of the accident’s magnitude.
Sights, sounds, and smells that remind the person of what happened can trigger flashbacks and nightmares. These, in turn, can lead to mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. While a professional might prescribe medication to treat PTSD, therapy is a vital part of recovery. Accident victims have the right to claim any costs of treating PTSD as part of a personal injury lawsuit.