Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of accident related injuries in the United States. While these injuries can vary from person to person and from crash to crash, there are some fairly common ones. The following provides a general overview of the most common types of motor vehicle accident injuries:

Head injuries: These are one of the most serious motor vehicle accident injuries. Drivers and passengers can strike their heads against steering wheels, dashboards or windows, which can cause traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to comas and lasting cognitive problems. These types of injuries can also lead to skull fractures, hearing loss and vision problems.

Spinal cord injuries: Any damage to the spinal cord can cause significant nerve damage. Serious forms of spinal damage can leave patients permanently paralyzed for their entire lives.

Herniated disks: Herniated disks are less severe than spinal or head injuries, but can still cause significant problems to victims. Injured victims often have to experience numb or tingling sensations, muscle weakness and arm or leg pain.

Neck injuries: The most well-known motor vehicle accident related injuries are whiplash injuries. Sudden movements of head and neck cause serious neck muscles and ligaments damage.

Chest injuries: Many motor vehicle accident victims suffer injuries in the chest area. Blunt force can cause broken ribs and collapsed lungs. People, especially those with heart problems, can go into traumatic cardiac arrest from such accidents. Internal bleeding in the chest area is also common.

Other injuries: Other injuries may include injuries to the arms, legs and hands. Broken bones, ligament damage such as a torn ACL and even severed limbs are also other types of common motor vehicle accident injuries.