Car accidents are common in California—over 220,000 people were hurt in accidents in 2022, with 22,128 sustaining serious injuries.
If you need help after an accident, call us at (209) 600-4389 to speak with the attorneys at Silva Injury Law. We help clients recover compensation for common car accident injuries and are ready to fight for you.
1. Head Injuries
Head injuries resulting from car accidents can cause severe harm, but they are often hard to detect.
Concussions
A concussion is a mild brain injury caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. The warning signs of these injuries are not always visible.
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches,
- Confusion,
- Dizziness, and
- Nausea.
Despite being mild, concussions can get worse without treatment. They can contribute to conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This degenerative brain condition can cause memory, concentration, and mood regulation difficulties.
Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Moderate and severe TBIs can lead to cognitive and physical impairments. TBIs can lead to:
- Prolonged confusion,
- Persistent headaches,
- Nausea or vomiting,
- Memory loss,
- Changes in mood or behavior,
- Minimally conscious state, and
- Coma.
The repercussions of these high-impact car accident injuries extend far beyond the initial accident. Victims may face challenges in daily functioning, impacting their work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
2. Neck and Back Injuries
The force of a collision can harm the neck and spine. Because these areas are delicate, even the smallest injury can cause lifelong harm.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury resulting from the rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck. It’s one of the most common injuries in a car accident.
Symptoms may not manifest immediately, so it is easy to overlook the injury initially. But with time, you may notice pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
Treatment for whiplash often involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, and pain management. Most people need a few months to recover, but some may experience long-term discomfort.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Car accidents can also lead to various spinal cord injuries, such as:
- Vertebral fractures,
- Herniated discs,
- Spinal cord compression,
- Cervical radiculopathy,
- Thoracic outlet syndrome,
- Lumbar radiculopathy, and
- Central cord syndrome.
The location and severity of the injury determine the extent of impairment. Victims may experience loss of sensation or motor function or even partial or complete paralysis.
These common car accident injuries often need extensive medical interventions, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
3. Chest Injuries
Sternum and rib fractures are prevalent chest injuries in car accidents, typically caused by the sudden impact of a collision. The symptoms include sharp chest pain exacerbated by breathing or movement.
Some fractures will heal on their own, so victims only need to take pain medication. But in some cases, medical intervention and physical therapy are needed to regain functionality.
4. Limb Injuries
Our limbs consist of nerves, bones, soft tissue, and more. Injuries to these areas can require complex treatment and lead to long-term damage.
Fractures and Broken Bones
The impact of a car accident can lead to various types of fractures in the limbs, including simple fractures, compound fractures, and stress fractures. The severity often depends on the force of the impact and the point of contact.
Severe fractures might necessitate multiple surgeries to realign and stabilize the broken bones.
Following surgery, rehabilitation is crucial to restore mobility and functionality. Victims may require physical therapy, ongoing medical check-ups, and adaptive equipment during the recovery process.
Amputations
In some accidents, a limb may get crushed or trapped. Because these injuries are so severe, victims may need amputations. Losing a limb is a life-altering event requiring immediate medical attention and long-term care.
Amputations result in profound physical, emotional, and psychological challenges for victims. Beyond the immediate medical concerns, individuals may face rehabilitation, prosthetic fittings, and adjustments to daily life.
5. Psychological Injuries
All injuries aren’t physical. The shock of a car accident can lead to psychological conditions that affect the quality of your life.
Some common psychological conditions after accidents include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
- Depression,
- Anxiety,
- Panic disorders,
- Adjustment disorders,
- Phobias,
- Sleep disorders, and
- Cognitive impairments.
These hidden injuries can be quite severe. Victims might need medication and counseling to treat their condition.
6. Facial Injuries
Car accidents can lead to facial injuries, especially when not wearing a seatbelt. These common car crash injuries happen when your face hits the airbag or another object in the vehicle.
Fractures and Dislocations
Facial fractures may occur in various facial bones, including the nose, jaw, cheekbones, and eye sockets. For mild cases, symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected area.
Severe facial fractures often require surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the broken bones. Surgeons may use plates, screws, or other hardware to restore the structure of the face. Complications may include scarring, changes in facial appearance, and potential impacts on vision or breathing.
Dental Injuries
Blows to the face can also lead to dental injuries, affecting the teeth and surrounding structures. The impact can cause teeth to chip, crack, or be completely knocked out. Additionally, trauma to the jaw may result in temporomandibular joint injuries, affecting the jaw’s functionality.
Reconstructive dental procedures may be necessary to repair damaged teeth. Victims of these serious car accident injuries may require ongoing dental care to address the long-term effects of the injuries.
7. Internal Injuries
Car accidents can subject the chest and abdomen to significant force. This jolt may injure internal organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, or spleen. Internal bleeding often accompanies organ damage, making the situation worse.
Symptoms of internal injuries may include:
- Abdominal pain,
- Tenderness,
- Swelling, and
- Shock.
These injuries may not be immediately apparent but can result in life-threatening complications if left untreated.
8. Burns and Scarring
Car crashes can expose you to fire, hot surfaces, or hazardous chemicals. This exposure can cause significant burns, even if you are exposed for only a few moments.
Thermal Burns
Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into contact with heat sources such as fire, hot surfaces, or steam. Many hot liquids can escape the engine block in a collision and flow into the cabin. Likewise, car accidents can lead to fire, especially if the crash causes a fuel leak.
Burns cause immediate pain and trauma, but victims also face long recovery periods and scarring.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns in car accidents may occur if the collision leads to the release or spillage of hazardous materials. These burns occur when the skin or eyes come into contact with corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, or other harmful materials.
Chemical burns can result in long-term consequences, including scarring, disfigurement, and ongoing medical treatments.
9. Vision and Hearing Loss
Car crashes can expose you to broken glass, loud noises, and toxic debris. These all can affect your vision and hearing.
Eye Injuries
Common eye injuries include corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, and traumatic cataracts.
Severe eye injuries can have lasting consequences, affecting an individual’s ability to perform daily activities, including driving, reading, or working. Moreover, coping with changes in vision can be a complex process requiring medical and psychological support.
Hearing Loss
Car accidents can damage the sensitive parts of the ear. The severity of an injury can vary, ranging from mild hearing impairment to complete deafness. In some cases, hearing loss occurs over time and can go unnoticed for weeks or months.
Hearing loss is a lifelong condition that can affect your livelihood. Victims may need hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive devices.
Silva Injury Law Can Help You After a Car Accident
Silva Injury Law can help you recover compensation for these common car accident injuries. Our lawyers will review your case, collect evidence, and negotiate with all liable parties. Our firm has helped recover six-figure settlements for clients. Call our office at (209) 600-4389 to schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer.