Motor vehicle accidents cause injuries and deaths on American roads yearly. An estimate from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 10.5% increase in motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2021 (42,915) as compared to 2020 (38,824).
If you are injured in a car accident, you can suffer serious injuries, some of which may go unnoticed until it’s late. The following are three injuries that always need attention:
1. Neck injuries
Whiplash is the most common neck injury caused by car accidents, especially rear-end ones. When your neck is forced to move back and forth rapidly, soft tissues can get injured. Whiplash causes pain and stiffness in your neck. Serious cases of whiplash can lead to inflammation in the spine and chronic pain.
2. Burns
If a car accident damages your radiator, your skin may come into contact with leaks of hot water or steam, burning you. Other causes of burns from a car accident are hot metals and seat belt friction. It is rare for a car accident to result in a fire, but you might get any degree of burn from these elements.
3. Broken bones
Broken bones in a car accident occur due to different reasons. Examples include being struck by the airbag, putting out arms in front, being ejected when not wearing a seat belt, legs being trapped under the dashboard and pressure from the seat belt. Common bones that can break are the femur, spinal vertebrae of the back or neck, the clavicle, wrist bones, calf bones, pelvic bones, ribs, the skull and facial bones.
Several factors lead to motor vehicle accidents. If you are injured in an accident, it will be best to get medical help immediately and be informed about possible injuries. You should also learn about the best options to get quality medical care and financial compensation.