4 Most Common Injuries After A Car Accident

After a car accident, your settlement will largely depend on the injuries you suffered. Injuries that limit your ability to work in the future or cause permanent problems will pay out more than superficial injuries. Learn more about the four most common injuries after a car accident.

Broken Bones 

One of the most common injuries after a car accident is broken bones. The bones may experience a clean break at the joint or completely shatter. Severe fractures may require emergency surgery and the installation of metal rods. All broken bones will require physical therapy. 

Some of the most common broken bones after a car accident include:

• Arm/wrist fractures
• Leg fractures
• Clavicle fractures
• Rib fractures
• Hip fractures

Most broken bones can be repaired after minor surgery. Broken bones in the back and neck can potentially lead to paralysis. 

Chronic Pain 

In many cases, car accident victims report chronic pain after the incident. The pain can occur in numerous areas of the body, including the neck, back, and knees. In some instances, it is easy to pinpoint the cause of the pain, such as a broken bone. In other cases, there's less obvious physical proof of the pain. Pain can be difficult to prove. Treatment can last a lifetime in some cases, including regular physical therapy and pain medication prescriptions. The pain can get so bad that it makes it difficult to work.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The human brain lives inside the skull for optimal protection. The brain has some space to move inside the skull. When the brain experiences trauma and bashes around the skull, it can lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs vary in severity from mild to fatal. In some cases, a TBI will lead to permanent memory loss or mental retardation. Some patients never regain full use of their brain ever again and may even need regular assistance. 

Facial Trauma 

Glass and metal shrapnel from the accident along with blunt force trauma can lead to serious facial trauma, such as scars or loss of an eye. The victim may need to undergo cosmetic surgery to repair the damage. In some cases, the damage will be permanent and even require therapy. Since the face is one of the first things people notice about each other, facial disfigurement can cause serious trauma. 

After an accident, go to a doctor to get a professional assessment of your injuries. Your car accident injury lawyer will help you from there.