Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in Texas. In 2023, one person was injured in a Texas motor vehicle accident every two minutes six seconds. Recognizing the most common injuries car accident victims suffer can tell you what to look for if you get into a collision. Keep in mind that not all injury symptoms arise instantly; seek medical care right away after a car accident, even if you initially feel “fine.” If you are navigating the aftermath of a collision, consulting a San Antonio car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and understand your legal options.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs due to the forces of an automobile accident, especially rear-end collisions. If a driver or passenger’s head and neck “whip” rapidly forward and backward upon impact, this violent movement can stretch or tear the muscles, ligaments and soft tissues of the neck. The symptoms of whiplash often include pain and stiffness in the neck, headaches, limited range of motion in the neck, and pain in the shoulders or arms.
Concussions and Other Brain Injuries
If a car accident victim strikes his or her head on anything during the crash, such as the steering wheel, dashboard or road surface, the force of the impact can be enough to injure the brain. The brain can suffer blunt-force trauma damage as well as penetrating injuries. Concussions are the most common brain injury reported in automobile accidents. However, much more serious traumatic brain injuries can also arise, such as bleeding or swelling in the brain. Brain injuries require immediate medical treatment for the victim’s safety.
Back Injuries
Rapid motion of the spinal cord, along with possible blunt-force trauma, can inflict a variety of back and spine injuries in a car accident. Examples include herniated and ruptured disks, nerve damage, spinal concussions, vertebral fractures, and muscle sprains. In the most serious cases, spinal cord damage can result in permanent paralysis (e.g., paraplegia or quadriplegia).
Broken Bones
Broken bones commonly occur due to the severe impact of a car accident, especially in high-speed collisions. Impact forces can lead to fractures in a victim’s arms, lower extremities, chest, ribs, spine, collarbone or skull. These injuries may require surgical repair, casting and physical therapy.
Soft-Tissue injuries
Soft-tissue injuries from automobile accidents can refer to any damage to the muscles, ligaments or tendons. Examples include bruises, contusions, muscle sprains and strains, and torn ligaments. Soft-tissue damage can result in pain, swelling, tenderness and limited mobility while the injury heals.
Internal Injuries
A victim may suffer internal injuries due to the gravitational forces of the crash. Impact against a seat belt and penetrating injuries can also cause organ damage and internal bleeding, which are both medical emergencies. Internal injuries may affect the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs or heart.
Be On the Lookout for Delayed Injuries
Car accident victims do not always feel their injuries right away. The adrenaline from the accident can mask pain, and some injuries do not show detectable symptoms immediately. A brain injury, for example, may not cause a headache, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion or personality changes until hours or even days later, once the damage has progressed enough to be noticeable. The possibility of delayed or hidden injuries is why you should always go to a hospital at once after a car accident in Texas. Prompt injury diagnosis is critical for your health and well-being, as well as for the insurance claims process. If you were recently injured in a car accident in Texas, contact an attorney at the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo for a free consultation about how our San Antonio injury attorney can help you seek fair financial compensation.