Common Car Accident Injuries and Treatment Options

Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of unintentional injuries and deaths worldwide, claiming over 100 lives daily.

Accidents can cause both obvious and hidden injuries, with some not showing symptoms immediately—this is why any car accident victim should seek immediate treatment to avoid the potential short and long-term effects of untreated injuries.

What is the most common type of car accident injury?

Whiplash is the most common type of car accident injury. It results from forceful, rapid back-and-forth neck movement caused by sudden vehicle movement. It often affects the muscles and ligaments of the neck. Severe accidents may also damage the nerves, discs, facet joints, and bones in the neck.

The signs and symptoms of whiplash develop within six hours to three days after an injury and may appear even without any visible injuries:

• Neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness
• Loss of motion range in the neck
• Worsening neck pains due to movement
• Headaches that start from the base of the skull
• Fatigue
• Tenderness in the upper back, shoulders, and arms
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
• Tiredness
• Dizziness

You should seek immediate medical attention for accurate diagnosis and to rule out the possibility of broken bones and potential damages that may result in severe symptoms.

How do I know if my whiplash is serious?

While most neck injuries from car accidents, like whiplash, are mild, some may be serious. It’s best to have yourself checked if your neck pain:

• Doesn’t lessen over time and is present constantly
• Is severe and isn’t relieved by medications
• Is accompanied by radiating pain, headaches, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms and legs

How long does whiplash last?

Recovery from whiplash depends on the severity of the injury. Mild whiplash might heal by itself within days to weeks. More severe whiplash injuries may take several weeks or even months to heal and may require the following treatment:

• Immobilization
• Cold application for the first ten days, followed by heat application after that
• Physical or exercise therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
• Spine surgery
• Radiofrequency nerve ablation

What happens if whiplash goes untreated?

Leaving whiplash injuries can lead to chronic pain, loss of mobility, and other health issues—so don’t wait to get help. Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers your auto accident recovery and treatment, no matter who’s at fault.

But remember, in Florida, you must seek care within 14 days of the accident for your insurance to cover the costs.

16 common types of car accident injuries and treatment

Auto injuries can vary widely, but collisions often result in predictable injury patterns due to how the impact causes the body to move. For example, rear-end collisions frequently lead to neck injuries and potential spine fractures. T-bone or side impacts can cause fractures and damage to organs and major blood vessels.

Seat position also plays a role. Rear-seat passengers are at higher risk for traumatic brain injuries (TBI), while front-seat passengers are more likely to suffer severe chest injuries.

Here is a detailed look at 16 common car accident injuries and their treatments.

Head injuries

Head injuries are some of the most serious in auto accidents, often caused by passengers hitting their heads on steering wheels, windows, or other hard surfaces inside the car. In some cases, debris or bone fragments may pierce brain tissue, leading to penetrating injuries.

1. Concussion

A concussion, or mild TBI, is an injury that causes temporary loss of normal brain function. Not everyone loses consciousness, and some cases may not show visible signs of head trauma, like bleeding.

Common symptoms include loss of consciousness, brief memory loss, feeling dazed, and “seeing stars.” These typically resolve within a few days or weeks with rest. However, new ones may appear several weeks after the injury. It’s best to inform your provider immediately when this happens.

2. Traumatic brain injury

Nearly one-fourth of all TBI hospitalizations are due to car accidents. It ranges from mild to permanent brain damage, depending on the impact on the head. Symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Confusion
• Headache
• Memory loss
• Tinnitus
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Treatment and recovery time depends on the injury’s size, type, location, and severity.

Moderate to severe TBI can result in coma, lifelong health issues, and disabilities. They also require more intensive treatments such as medications, surgery, and rehabilitation.

The initial brain injury can lead to secondary damage hours or days later. Most severe TBI cases result from this secondary damage. Immediate medical care helps prevent this, highlighting the importance of seeking prompt care.

3. Facial injuries

A person might strike their head on the car interior or have debris strike them, which can lead to facial injuries like scars, bruises, broken bones, and eye damage. Some of these heal on their own, while others may require surgical correction.

Neck injuries

The neck is the most mobile and flexible part of the spine, increasing its risk of injury. Aside from whiplash, there are other common neck injuries from a car accident.

4. Pinched nerve

A pinched nerve, or cervical radiculopathy, occurs when a nerve exiting the spinal cord becomes compressed or irritated, often due to a sudden injury causing a herniated disc. Symptoms include tingling (“pins and needles”) in the hands or fingers, weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand, and numbness or loss of sensation.

These injuries typically respond well to medications, immobilization with a cervical collar, steroid injections, and physical therapy. Some cases may require surgery.

5. Neck fractures

Neck fractures result from a break of one or several vertebrae in the neck. It’s a severe injury that may result in paralysis or death if left untreated.

Symptoms for this injury can be mild to severe based on its location. The most common symptom is neck pain. You may also experience the following:

• numbness and tingling that extends to the upper body
• swelling around the neck
• muscle fatigue
• bruising around the injury site

In severe cases, you may lose sensation in the legs or arms or have paralysis.

Treatment options include neck bracing, pain management, physical therapy, and surgery.

6. Slipped or herniated disc

A herniated, slipped, or ruptured disc occurs when vertebrae push into the spinal canal, putting pressure on or irritating the spinal cord.

Symptoms of this injury include:

• burning sensation,
• back pain that radiates to other body parts
• numbness or tingling that radiates to the foot or leg
•  muscle weakness in the affected area

Doctors usually recommend surgery as the course of treatment for this injury due to its effect on the spinal cord. That’s why seeing an orthopedic surgeon after a car accident is crucial if you experience these symptoms.

Back injuries

A car crash’s sudden impact can injure your back, affecting various structures such as vertebrae, discs, blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, muscles, and the spinal cord. Here are some of the most common back injuries after a car accident.

7. Spasms, sprains, and strains

The sudden impact can cause muscles to overexert or move in unusual ways, leading to spasms. The collision may also cause back muscles and ligaments to overstretch or tear. Rest, heat, and ice therapy can help reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation in these injuries.

8. Lumbar or thoracic vertebrae fractures

High-energy trauma in the lumbar and thoracic spine can lead to fractures. Fracture in these areas is often one of three types: flexion, extension, and rotation.

Symptoms range from mild to severe pain. Treatment options include bracing for mild cases and surgery for more severe injuries.

9. Spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is damaged. If you have a spinal injury, you may feel pain or tenderness over the site of the injury.

The damage can lead to loss of movement and sensation and bowel or bladder dysfunction, with the extent of the loss depending on the location of the injury.

The primary goal of treatment is to stabilize the spine and prevent further injury, often through immobilization. Surgery may be required to stabilize the spine and remove any debris or bone pressing on the spinal cord. Rehabilitation, including occupational and physical therapy, may be needed to help restore function and independence.

Limb injuries

10. Limb loss

A person’s limbs may be so severely damaged or crushed in an accident that amputation becomes necessary. Amputation may also be required as a complication of other injuries, such as severe burns, infections, or compromised blood flow caused by trauma.

11. Limb fractures and dislocations

The car crash may be so strong that it pushes joints out of place. Dislocations, particularly shoulder dislocations, are fairly common in car accidents. A doctor may manually place the joint back in place (relocation). Surgery may be needed to reposition the joint if there’s damage in the blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments surrounding it.

The femur and humerus are two of the most commonly fractured bones in car accidents. These injuries typically cause severe arm or leg pain and deformity. Sometimes, you may also experience difficulty moving the arm or leg and have a bone pushing through the skin. Treatment varies according to severity. Mild fractures can be treated through casting or reduction, while severe cases may require fixation and surgery.

12. Rotator cuff tear

Shoulder injuries are also pretty common after car accidents. For instance, rotator cuff tears are common in rear-end collisions. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and grating or crackling sounds during arm movements.

A torn rotator cuff typically heals on its own with rest and medications. Your doctor may also recommend corticosteroid injections and physical therapy. Surgery may be needed if symptoms don’t improve after six months.

Other car accident injuries

13. Crush injury

A crush injury happens when a body part is trapped, jammed, or squeezed under or between objects. This type of injury may cause bruising, bleeding, open wounds, nerve injury, and fractures. The first thing to do in crush injuries is to stop the bleeding.

Fluid replacement, breathing support, and pain management are typically given. Surgery may be needed, including fasciotomy or amputation.

14. Burns

During a car accident, a passenger may get burn injuries from:

• Car fire and explosions
• Exposure to leaked chemicals
• Contact with hot metal, steam, or other heated components
• Shock injury from exposed electrical current
• Airbag deployment

Burns can range from mild (first-degree), affecting only the top layer of skin, to severe (fourth-degree), reaching muscles and bones. Moderate burns may require hospital care, while deeper burns or second-degree burns affecting over 10% of the body need specialized treatment at a burn center.

You may also be admitted to a burn center if you have:

• Burns on the face, hands, genitals, or joints
• Burns with other injuries, like fractures
• Burns in people with medical conditions
• Chemical, electrical, or inhalation burns

Two hidden car accident injuries to watch out for

Several things happen to the body after a car accident. Some injuries, as discussed above, are apparent, while others might be challenging to spot.

15. Internal damage and bleeding

Internal damage and bleeding emerge slowly after an accident and become life-threatening after a while. The signs and symptoms of these injuries might also not be obvious enough to decide that your case is severe. They include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain at the injured site
• Swollen abdomen
• Unconsciousness
• Breathlessness
• Extreme thirst

You may also experience some signs and symptoms specific to concussion, such as loss of memory, confusion, severe headache, dizziness, and wounds on the head.

Please note that nausea and vomiting after an accident may indicate other injuries. That’s why you should seek immediate treatment to determine whether this is the result of internal damage and bleeding or something else.

Treatment for internal damage and bleeding may include blood or fluid transfusion to raise your blood pressure. After evaluating the severity of the damage, doctors may choose surgery or observation.

16. PTSD

A person involved in a car crash may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental condition that develops after a traumatic event. Symptoms may appear three months after the incident or much later.

Some symptoms of PTSD include having memories and dreams related to the car crash, experiencing flashbacks of the event, and avoiding thoughts, feelings, events, or objects that remind you about the car crash.

FAQs about Common Car Accident Injuries

Can minor car accidents still cause serious injuries?

Yes, even minor car accidents cause serious injuries, like head or brain injuries. Also, these injuries may not be readily apparent immediately after the incident.

Which collision type is the most serious?

Angle collisions between motor vehicles cause the most deaths, according to the  National Safety Council (NSC). Angle collisions happen when a vehicle strikes another at an angle (90 to 180 degrees). These often occur when cars change lanes, turn at an intersection, or merge into a lane on a highway.

What are delayed symptoms after a car accident?

The symptoms you may experience after an accident depend on the underlying injury. However, here are symptoms you should look out for:

• Back pain
• Neck and shoulder pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Tingling and numbness
• Concentration problems
• Memory loss
• Fatigue
• Excessive sleepiness

What are some red flags after a car accident?

It’s essential to visit the ER or see your doctor after a car accident. Here are emergency red flags requiring immediate ER attention:

• Worsening or persistent headache
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Loss of consciousness
• Inability to wake up from sleep
• Increased confusion or agitation
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
• Enlarged pupils in one or both eyes
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Persistent nausea or repeated vomiting

How long is it normal for your body to hurt after a car accident?

The duration of body pain after an injury varies based on its cause and severity. Some injuries may cause pain for a few days, while others can lead to chronic pain lasting for years.

Get an expert assessment of your car accident injury

Several injuries result from car accidents. You should seek auto-injury treatment if you suffer any of these injuries. At Alexander Orthopaedic Associates, we offer high-quality, patient-focused care to patients with different car accident injuries. We work with our clients through all steps of their treatment and recovery process to ensure the most comprehensive care possible. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your needs and learn more about our services.