This article is not legal advice or medical advice. It is presented for informational purposes only.

Common car accident injuries may range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious damage to bones and neurological function.

What are some common car accident injuries?

Head and brain injuries:
Drivers and passengers may hit their head during a crash which can lead to a variety of injuries. A concussion, or traumatic brain injury, occurs when the force of impact of a crash moves the brain around inside the skull. Symptoms of a concussion may include headache, neck pain, nausea, or dizziness.

Neck injuries: The force of a crash may cause the neck to snap forward or back. This can lead to a variety of injuries ranging from neck strain to vertebrae dislocation. Whiplash is a common neck injury to result from car accidents.

Back and spinal cord injuries: These can be some of the most traumatic injuries to result from a car accident. The small discs in the back may be damaged (slipped disc) and the vertebrae can be broken. This may lead to a more serious injury to the spinal cord which may impair feeling or function.

Broken bones: Bones in the arms, collarbones, legs, and other parts of the body may be broken due to the impact of the crash. In some cases, these breaks can be cast and allowed to heal naturally over times. In other scenarios, surgery may be necessary.

Psychological injuries: The stress and trauma from an accident may result in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

How are car accident injuries treated?

Minor injuries may not require medical attention. Doctors may recommend the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method for muscle strains.

Other injuries, such as broken bones, may require medical attention and short term follow up. More serious injuries may require surgery so that a doctor can repair the damage. Surgery is almost required to treat life threatening injuries such as internal bleeding.

Psychological injuries may be treated with counseling or, in more serious cases, medication.

What is the recovery like for car accident injuries?

The recovery from injuries after a car accident will depend on the severity of the injury and the treatment required for the injuries.

Smaller injuries such as scrapes may only take days to heal. Injuries such as whiplash, concussions, and muscle strain usually resolve within a few week. More serious injuries involving broken bones or dislocated joints may take months to heal, especially if surgery is required.

However, some injuries, especially those to the spinal cord, may result in permanent damage if function is not regained within a year.

How can common car accident injuries be prevented?

Wearing a seatbelt is always an important step to preventing serious car accident injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 64 percent of fatalities in nighttime crashes in 2008 affected individuals not wearing their seat belt.

Can I seek compensation after a car accident?

Individuals who were in a car accident caused by negligence may be able to recover compensation for their injuries.

Medical treatment can be expensive and leave individuals with thousands of dollars in medical bills after a car accident. According to Chambers Medical Group, surgery for knee replacement may cost almost $50,000, spinal cord surgery may cause over $150,000, and a severe brain injury may cost up to $3 million in treatment costs.

Taking legal action may help individuals recover compensation for serious, expensive costs associated with their accident.