Injuries from Car Accidents can Range from Minor to Severe

The injuries sustained in an automobile accident depend on several factors- not limited to the direction of travel, speed of travel, and collisions. Typically, if a vehicle is hit from behind the chances of severe damage or injury is less likely, however, a client of mine was recently hit so hard from behind her car was written off as a total loss, she suffered a closed head injury from her head hitting the steering wheel (while restrained), and cervical and thoracic strain from the impact. Car accidents involving a head-on collision at a high speed are often fatal. Car accidents involving side impact often result in moderate impact and destruction of the vehicle. The severity of the injuries depends on use of seat belts and injuries to vital organs. Potential injuries that may be life-threatening include trauma to what first-responders refer to as the “kill-zone,” of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen.

Injuries can range from mild to severe. Below is a description of common automobile accident injuries.

Subcutaneous Hematoma

A hematoma is a collection of blood within the subcutaneous tissue. This may occur from a tear of blood vessels in the skin, subcutaneous tissue or muscle. Further investigation is necessary to rule-out internal tissue damage like a fracture, dislocation or a visceral tear (internal organ), which often depends on the area of the body and the size of the hematoma. If the hematoma is over 2-4 inches in diameter, further investigation in an emergency room should be done.

Whiplash Injury

The neck is the most vulnerable anatomical part of the body, and whiplash can occur with head-on, side or rear impact collisions causing hyperflexion of the neck.  Whiplash can also be used to describe lower body injuries depending on the impact and the position of the body at the time of the accident as well as the site of the injury.  Whiplash injury can cause joint injury, muscle tears, ligament injury, joint dislocation, and tears to viscera (internal organs) and/or blood vessels.

Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion

Impact of the head or neck can cause can cause mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) also referred to as a concussion. This can lead to headaches, dizziness, confusion, and vertigo (a sensation of spinning). Further investigation with a CT scan of the head is recommended to rule out further damage. A severe blow to the head can cause bleeding in the brain, which can be life threatening.

Traumatic brain injury can affect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, but more specifically, vehicle accidents account for 50 percent of all brain injuries making it the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury severity is commonly categorized into one of three different classifications. These are severe, moderate, or mild. The severity of the injury is typically based on how long a loss of consciousness took place, and/or coma rating scale or score, (PTA) and the results of brain imagining

Bone/Joint Injury

Blunt injury at the time of impact may cause bone or joint fracture or dislocation, which can also lead to tears in the ligaments or joint capsule (sprain) or tear of the muscles or tendons (strain) leading to further investigation such as x-rays or MRI. Bone and joint injuries can including skeletal injuries of the spine leading to pain in the neck, back, extremities ranging from mild to severe and possibly even cause disc bulge or herniated disc. Skeletal injury of the chest wall may result in multiple rib fractures, which could lead to a pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes changes in its function, either temporary or permanent. These changes translate into loss of muscle function, sensation, or autonomic function in parts of the body served by the spinal cord below the level of the lesion. Injuries can occur at any level of the spinal cord and can be classified as complete injury, a total loss of sensation and muscle function, or incomplete, meaning some nervous signals are able to travel past the injured area of the cord. Depending on the location and severity of damage along the spinal cord, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain or numbness to paralysis to incontinence.

Seat Belt Injury

While seat belts can prevent injury, they can also cause injury. This is surprisingly one of the most common automobile accident injuries. Mild injuries would include bruising or abrasion either across the chest or across the abdomen whereas moderate and severe injuries could include fractured ribs and resulting lung injury from the shoulder strap and injury to internal organs from the lap belt.

Air Bag Injury

While airbags can prevent injury, they can also cause injury.  This is surprisingly one of the most common automobile accident injuries.  Mild injuries would include bruising or abrasions to the hands, arms, chest and face. Air bags can also cause fractures or the nose, facial bones and hands or wrists too. Occasionally, individuals wearing glasses can be sustain injuries to the eyes as well.