It might have just been a fender bender – or a full-on crash – but the toll that a car accident can take on your body can vary depending on the impact. Crashing into a car in front of you can affect your head, knees, and face, and it can put you at risk of a whole host of injuries – even if your airbag deployed.
These are five of the most common injuries that can occur during a car accident:
Whiplash
The blunt force of a car crash can cause a neck sprain or strain that is known as whiplash. The strain occurs when parts of the neck – the vertebrae, disks, ligaments, and other tissues – become damaged after the aggressive jerking motion that happens during a car crash. After you experience a car accident, you may feel stiffness or pain in your neck and even pain in your shoulders. The condition is not serious; and when treated with pain medication, rest, and hot or cold packs, your condition is likely to improve within a few weeks or even a few days.
Leg/knee injuries
When in a car accident, you may experience leg or knee injuries. Driving with your knees in an unusual position, or riding as a passenger with your feet up on the dashboard, could increase your risk of a leg or knee injury in a crash. You can, however, experience a knee or leg injury in any accident if the sheer force of the accident causes your leg to hit the interior of the car.
Back injuries
The force of a car collision can even cause injury to your back. With the impact of a crash, disks that act as cushions between your spine’s vertebrae can slip out of place. This is called a herniated disk, and it can cause a lot of pain and lead to issues with mobility if severe. A herniated disk or similar back injury can occur anywhere in your spine or even your neck.
Broken bones
Bones can break from the impact of a crash if they hit other objects. Wrists, fingers, arms, and legs can break or fracture during a car accident due to striking metal, glass, or even a deployed airbag.
Concussion
A common injury from accidents that can impact your head is a concussion, or a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The blow to your head from the impact on the headrest, flying debris, or the airbag can cause injury to your brain. The force of any or all of these factors can shake your brain within your skull and may cause a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion can range from dizziness to tiredness and even confusion. Your memory might even be affected. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms after an accident, even if it has been a while since the crash.
