Did you just get your driver’s license and are looking forward to your first day of independence behind the wheel? Do you have a child who is reaching the age when they first learn how to drive? Or, are you just thinking to yourself, “what will it take to sell my car and get rid of the headache?”.
If you fall into either of these categories, then it’s important to become familiar with injuries that can stem from an automobile accident. Even if you have a good track record so far, there’s always the chance that a careless driver can cause you severe physical harm.
There is a variety of injuries that can result from an accident behind the wheel, and some have effects that can last longer than others. With our tips on avoiding car accidents, you can ensure a safe time on the road for yourself and your loved ones.
Here are the five most common types of car crash injuries and how to prevent them.
1. Soft Tissue Car Crash Injuries
Among the inner parts of your body that can be damaged by a car crash are your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They make up connective tissue, and when they get injured, it is called a soft tissue injury.
This car accident injury most commonly occurs when a driver experiences whiplash when hitting or getting hit by another car at different speeds. Damage, in this case, occurs to the neck and upper back, and the stress put on them can cause ligaments and muscles to stretch and tear.
Since the back is among the most common injured body parts in car accidents, soft tissue injuries are more likely in this area. Results can range from pain to bruising and swelling.
The safest way to avoid this kind of injury is to wear a seat belt throughout your drives. Make sure it works before you start the car by tugging on it after you buckle in so that you find a balance of tight and loose.
2. Traumatic Brain Injuries
Avoiding head injuries can be hard enough when playing certain sports, but you’re at a greater risk while in a vehicle. Among the most dangerous types of car accident injuries is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This injury takes place when the head suffers an extreme amount of impact. The driver can suffer this injury from sudden impact with the steering wheel, car window, or other parts of the vehicle during a crash.
TBIs can take a variety of forms ranging from minor to severe. The most serious include skull fractures and concussions, which can lead to long-lasting effects on the brain and other parts of the body.
Like with the first injury we covered, ensuring you have a secure seat belt will increase your chances of avoiding a TBI. It also helps to pay attention to how people are driving around you so that you are prepared to break or move off the road, if necessary.
3. Scrapes and Cuts
If you are lucky enough to avoid getting the inside of your body being harmed, you’ll also need to look for anything that can damage the outside. That’s where scrapes and cuts come in.
There are plenty of objects that can cause this injury, such as broken glass from your car or that of anyone else involved in the crash. You can also get cut or scraped from glasses, smartphones, coffee mugs, books, dashboard-mounted GPS systems, and other objects that can get lose in a collision.
Results from scrapes and cuts can also range in severity. You may be lucky enough to experience a small loss of blood that might just need stitches, or an object may have cut deep enough to cause internal bleeding that might require surgery.
You can avoid this injury by placing objects in certain places around you where they will be kept still and secure, as well as position your seat so that it is the right distance from your windows and windshield. Another smart tactic would be to an organization such as this law firm to get advice in case you will start driving soon.
4. Fractures and broken bones
The most common car accident injuries are those that can happen to any part of the body. In this case, fractures and broken bones can be easy to come by, depending on what part of you and your car gets hit.
These injuries can happen to several parts of the body, including your shoulders, arms, legs, back, elbows, ankles, knees, and even your pelvis. Breaks occur when the body experiences an amount of stress and pressure that is too much for them to handle.
Some accidents result in breaks that only require wearing a cast for a week or month, while others can require surgery and an extended period of time in the hospital. Certain breaks can be serious enough to lead to pieces of bones puncturing organs and causing other internal injuries.
You can prevent fractures and broken bones by keeping an eye on the road and elements that can lead to an accident, including other cars and pedestrians who may walk in front of you suddenly and result in you swerving into another vehicle or object. It also helps to maintain a safe distance from the steering wheel to avoid breaking bones in the upper part of your body.
5. Burns
Some of the most common car accident injuries can occur during and after a collision. Among the prime examples is a burn injury, which can cause short and long-lasting harm in its own way.
Sources of burn injuries can come from explosions from cars during and after the crash, as well as contact between gasoline and a live current. Airbag deployment and contact with steam, hot metal, and other debris can also lead to burns.
Burns can be serious enough to cause disfigurement and scars, which may need surgery and skin grafting. The less contact with sources of burns, the small chance the injury will be severe.
Find a lawyer who is experienced with this injury so that they can teach you about first, second, and third-degree burns and the damage they can cause. Paying attention to elements near or on the road that can lead to a burn will also help your chances of avoiding them.
Our Take
Car crash injuries can take different forms, and they can result in anything from a week in a cast to a long stay in the hospital. That is why it is important to become aware of how they can happen and cause long-term and short-term problems.
You need to adjust the surroundings in your car to make sure nothing you use on a regular basis can hurt you, be aware of everyone and everything around your car, and speak to specialists in the law. With these tips, you can avoid health issues that can make it hard to go about life, whether it involves being able to perform at your job, enjoy fun times with friends and family, or just keep your lift expectancy high.
Check out more of our car accident expertise so that you can enjoy safe drives on the road and be achieve a proper physical, financial, and emotional recovery, just in case.
