According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention car accidents are a leading cause of death for people ages 1-44. Injuries from these accidents are not always immediately obvious. In fact, oftentimes they only become apparent well after the accident due to the endorphins that are produced at the moment of trauma. These endorphins act as painkillers which result in your body's delayed reaction to injury. Because of this it's important to seek immediate medical attention after an accident even when injuries do not appear life threatening. We've seen our fair share of car accident injuries, these are the most common:
Head Injuries
One of the most common and dangerous injuries in car accidents are head injuries. High-speed collisions place drivers and passengers at risk of striking their head against the car interior such as on steering wheels, dashboards, and even windows. While an accident may not present an immediate physical injury your brain can also be at risk due to the impact of the crash. In fact, it's possible to experience brain trauma solely from the force of the impact within the skull without a driver having struck an external object.
Back And Neck Injuries
Back and neck injuries are the most common types of injuries sustained in auto accidents. Neck injuries often manifest in whiplash or a strains. Depending on the severity of the crash, disc injuries are also possible. Like the neck, back injuries range from sprains, strains, fractures, and disc injuries. Pain from back and neck injuries often don't manifest immediately. It's therefore advisable to seek immediate medical help after an accident or risk exacerbated pain and discomfort.
Arm/ Leg & Chest Injuries
Arm and leg injuries are more often experienced in motorcycle accidents than in auto accidents. Due to lack of protection, these injuries range from cuts and bruises to severe lacerations and amputations. On the other hand, chest injuries are more common in motor vehicle accidents. Chest injuries typically result from blunt force trauma caused by impact with an object within the vehicle's interior such as a steering wheel. As a result of this type of trauma victims are at risk for internal injuries such as broken ribs, collapsed lungs, damaged organs, and even heart tears or other severe problems.
Psychological Injuries
Car accidents are almost always traumatic experience especially if you or someone you know has been critically injured or has passed away due to injuries inflicted during the car accident. Even after the physical injuries have healed drivers and passengers may suffer from psychological injuries closely resembling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following a car accident.
Car accidents happen for a number of reasons, but the leading cause is driver carelessness. At The Baltimore Accident Center our auto accident lawyers make you the priority. We understand what you're going through and are here to help. We'll do all we can to make those at fault for your injuries accountable. If you've been injured in an auto accident due to another driver's negligence, contact the Maryland auto accident lawyers at the Baltimore Accident Center to discuss your case today.