After a car accident, you may suffer various serious injuries. The National Law Review explains car accidents involve rapid force that twists and bends the body unnaturally, leading to severe injuries.
There are several common injuries after a collision.
Whiplash and back injuries
Most car accident victims suffer whiplash. When your body jerks forward at high speed, you may experience whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to your neck’s muscles and ligaments. Whiplash may develop symptoms directly following an accident or in the days following. Generally, it can take weeks to recover from the injury.
Back injuries may include herniations and ruptures of the discs in your spine. Some back injuries may result in permanent disability, whereas others may require time and physical therapy to heal. If you undergo a spinal fracture, you may face paralysis. Fractures of the spine generally require surgery to treat.
Traumatic brain injuries
During an accident, it is easy for your head to strike any part of the car. This may lead to a concussion or other traumatic brain injuries. If you have a TBI, you may find it difficult to remember the accident. You may suffer memory problems, fatigue and persistent headaches. TBIs affect how you process emotion and handle information. For severe TBIs, you may need lifelong treatment to cope with the injury.
Internal bleeding
Your organs are sensitive to damage. The force of an accident can damage your internal organs and cause internal bleeding. Unless examined by a medical professional, you may not recognize internal bleeding.
In addition to physical injuries, many car accident victims have PTSD and may experience nightmares, anxiety and mental distress.