Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents are regrettable for New Mexico and US drivers. Even with the development in vehicle safety features, accidents continue to be one of the primary sources of trauma, which in turn can undermine a person’s health, individual lifestyle, and even budget.

Understanding the most frequent ailments in accidents, their causes, and the relevance of prompt medical assistance can help one be better prepared for a crash. This guide will provide the necessary valuable information about motor vehicle accident injuries, along with the help of an expert.

Most Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Whiplash

Whiplash is when a sudden violent head movement strains or damages the neck’s muscles, ligaments, and sometimes even the cervical spine’s joints or nerves. Some individuals may also develop dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, so appropriate diagnosis and treatment are critical to making the recovery process run smoothly.

Head and Brain Injuries

Trauma from a collision can result in concussions or, in more serious cases, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can have long-lasting effects on a person’s health. Even in the absence of physical injuries, attending to other troubling symptoms such as nausea, chronic migraines, disorientation, inability to concentrate, or issues with recollection is very important. These symptoms together indicate an injury in the brain, and immediate medical help is advised.

Fractures

Such injuries are common when the body is pinned against or impacted by components within the vehicle, including the steering wheel and door, usually affecting the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Depending on the extent of the fractures, it can vary from minor bruises to more extreme cases like compound fractures that may require surgical intervention as well as long rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Car accident-related spinal cord injuries often need a lifetime of medical care and rehabilitation and greatly affect the person’s quality of life. The severity of the injury can vary from herniated discs, which can cause pain and limitation of movement, to more serious damage, like partial or complete paralysis.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Small injuries like bruises, cuts, and muscle or tendon tears are typical injuries that can happen from accidents, for instance, in sports or from falling, etc. These injuries may look harmless at the beginning but can be quite painful and may develop further problems like stiffness, limitation of motion, or even chronic pain if not properly addressed.

Chest Injuries

Seatbelts or airbags can result in blunt force trauma, leading to broken ribs, internal organ bleeding, or internal organ damage.

Psychological Trauma

Not all injuries are physical ones. Many victims experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after becoming involved in a car accident.

These injuries illustrate how critical it is to seek out medical treatment—even after a seemingly minor accident. Symptoms can take days or weeks to appear in some cases, and untreated cases can lead to complications.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Understanding how the accident occurred relates to the injuries you can sustain can help you identify potential health concerns you may experience after the collision.

Rear-End Collisions

These accidents—frequently induced by tailgating, quick stops, or unanticipated alterations in traffic flow—typically involve a jarring forward motion of the body. This abrupt movement causes a powerful force on the neck and spine, which could cause injuries like whiplash or muscle sprains.

Side-Impact Collisions

These accidents—often referred to as side-impact or T-bone collisions—happen when a vehicle gets hit on its side, typically at intersections where drivers sometimes neglect yielding or stop at a stop sign. Broken bones are possible from the injuries sustained in such collisions as are more critical internal injuries – which is why safety measures like airbags and defensive driving practices are so necessary.

Head-On Collisions

Often severe, involving the combined force of two vehicles traveling toward each other, resulting in a significant impact. These types of accidents frequently lead to serious injuries, including trauma to the head, chest, and limbs, due to the intense energy transferred during the crash.

Rollover Accidents

Rollovers can result in serious injuries because passengers may be thrown around inside the vehicle—or even ejected—during the crash. These types of accidents often occur when a car loses stability due to sharp turns or collisions, increasing the risk of severe trauma, head injuries, and even fatalities, mainly if seatbelts are not correctly used.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

The accidents usually involve multiple vehicles leading to random outcomes and, therefore, a wide range of injuries. The impact can be from the back, the side, or the front of the vehicle, and as a result, the passengers are often exposed to fatal injuries due to the confusion of the crash.

When to Seek Treatment for Your Injuries?

Immediate Symptoms After a Crash

Adrenaline tends to obscure pain in the immediate aftermath of an accident. But specific symptoms are red flags and need the very next medical evaluation:

• Loss of consciousness
• Extreme pain or swelling in any body part
• Breathing difficulty or chest pain
• Severe shortness of breath or confusion

Remember, the longer you delay seeking treatment, the harder it may be to connect your injuries to the accident.

Delayed Symptoms to Watch For

Some injuries don’t appear until hours, days, or weeks after the accident. Get medical help right away if you have:

• Persistent headaches.
• A numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
• Back or neck pain.
• Emotional distress and having trouble sleeping.

Things like pain, dizziness, and numbness could signal old injuries that must be addressed. Putting treatment off could leave your condition worse — and make supporting your case in a claim more precarious.

Why Seek Medical Attention Early?

Getting medical help immediately after an accident ensures doctors treat your injuries before they worsen. It also builds a stronger case for you, as medical records offer key proof of harm from the accident.

Children and pregnant women in crashes need to see a doctor. You can’t always see injuries, and waiting too long can lead to big problems.

Protect Yourself After an Accident

Car crashes can turn your life upside down, but quick action can lessen their long-term effects. Learn to spot the telltale signs of common injuries, grasp how accidents impact your body, and figure out when to see a doctor.

If a car crash has hurt you, call Parnall Law at (505) 268-6500. Our skilled injury lawyers can stand up for your rights and walk you through the process of making a claim.