The 5 Most Common Car Accident Injuries [2020]

According to the National Safety Council, 4.4 million people were injured seriously enough in car accidents in 2019 to require medical attention, and 38,800 people lost their lives to car accidents. 

A car accident in St. Louis can be traumatic and life-changing, causing serious injuries that can result in disability or even death. That’s why you will greatly benefit from the help of an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney. They can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve been in an accident. 

Wondering what the most common car accident injuries are in St. Louis and Missouri? Let’s take a look at a few injuries that are commonly associated with car accidents now. 

1. Whiplash

Whiplash is a very common soft tissue injury that St. Louis car accident lawyers see, even in low-speed car accidents. It occurs when the ligaments and muscles in your upper back and neck stretch during a collision. In serious crashes, whiplash injuries can also cause damage to the mid and lower back, and the spine.

2. Scrapes & Cuts

Loose objects inside a car can fly around and become projectiles, and glass, plastic, and other materials can shatter and cut the body. Some minor cuts and scrapes don’t require medical treatment, but deep lacerations may require stitches, and cuts to major arteries or veins can be life-threatening. 

3. Head Trauma

Head trauma is very common in car accident injuries. Impacts with a steering wheel or window can cause a concussion, and serious accidents may result in severe brain injuries, as well as damage to the jaw and mouth that may require surgical treatment. 

4. Broken Ribs & Bones

Injuries to the chest and ribs are very common in car accidents and are frequently seen by St. Louis auto accident attorneys. The ribs can be bruised or broken when they hit the steering wheel, or even by the force of being restrained by a seat harness or seat belt. 

The arms and legs can also be broken in car collisions when they hit the doors, dashboard, or other elements of the car with a lot of force.

5. Internal Bleeding

In car accidents, internal bleeding is often caused by fractures or broken bones and blunt force/deceleration trauma. Internal organs and blood vessels can be damaged or punctured, resulting in severe internal bleeding. The symptoms of internal bleeding are not always immediately obvious, which is why it’s important to always get emergency treatment after a car accident. 

Severe Injuries Can Change Your Life – Get The Help You Need 

Even a car accident that seems minor can cause serious injuries, and serious car accidents often result in lengthy hospital stays and permanent disabilities.

If you have been injured in a car accident in St.Louis or Missouri, you need the help of an experienced legal team.