You are lucky if you are uninjured in a car accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2.5 million Americans went to the emergency room for motor vehicle accident injuries in 2012. Almost 200,000 of these people went to the hospital afterward.
Auto accidents may cause minor or severe injuries to various parts of your body. Here are some of the most common life-threatening injuries that occur because of car collisions.
1. Head injury
When you are in a wreck, you may strike your head against the steering wheel, window or dashboard. This may result in anything from a mild concussion to a life-threatening traumatic brain injury. A severe impact or something penetrating your head may cause serious brain damage and bleeding. Even if a severe head injury does not take your life, it may result in long-term complications that affect every aspect of your life.
2. Neck injury
Hurting your neck is also a huge risk in an auto collision. You may be familiar with whiplash, which is a minor, soft-tissue injury that damages muscles and ligaments. There may also be general neck pain or swelling. However, neck injuries are often more severe. In serious accidents, you may sustain a disc bulge or facet joint injury. Major neck injuries may result in chronic pain or paralysis.
3. Chest injury
Another common way you may get seriously hurt in a motor vehicle crash is chest trauma. Blunt force against your chest may result in collapsed lungs or broken ribs. There may also be damage to your internal organs, abdomen and internal bleeding. These types of injuries may threaten your life, so you should seek immediate medical attention.
If you sustain a serious injury in a car accident, you should go to the emergency department right away and receive prompt treatment. These devastating injuries may result in lifelong physical and emotional complications. You should talk to a lawyer about receiving compensation from the person at fault for your suffering.