According to the Department of Transportation Query Builder, there were 12,974 car accidents in Austin, Texas, in 2020. In those accidents, 31,295 people were involved. While vehicles are safer today than ever before, car accidents still cause injuries – some of which are extremely severe and life-altering.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Several factors play into what kinds of injuries car accident victims may sustain, including speed, where the vehicle was hit, the number of vehicles involved, etc. The National Law Review analyzed car accidents on a national level and found that some injuries occur more often than others. The most common injuries sustained in car accidents include the following:
#1. Bruising and/or Contusions
Bruising and contusions are the most common injuries sustained in a car accident. When cars collide, the people inside often hit multiple parts of their body against their vehicle. Even the impact of the body on the seat belt can lead to bruising and contusions.
Considering the alternative of not wearing a seat belt, bruising is a small price to pay in what could be a much more devastating situation. Bruises generally heal on their own within several days; the deeper contusions, however, may take weeks.
#2. Whiplash
Due to the unexpected nature of a car accident, the passengers inside can be thrown in ways that are not anticipated. Additionally, the speed at which a passenger’s body is thrown in a car accident can cause parts of the body, most often the head and neck, to move back and forth suddenly and with a lot of force. This type of injury is known as “whiplash” as the body is “whipped” in various directions at a high rate of speed. It often results in stiffness, soreness, and pain. However, it may also cause serious and permanent injuries.
#3. Injuries to the Neck and/or Back
In early May of 2022, videos surfaced of Dunlop Tires tires exploding when drivers reached a particular speed. A driver in Cedar City, Utah became the victim of a rollover crash when his tire blew while traveling on Interstate 15. The cause of the accident was cited as “equipment failure” as the driver was not exhibiting any risky behavior and there were no items on the roadway that would have caused a blowout upon impact. These are just a few recent examples where tire defects have had dangerous consequences for motorists. Motorists should know how to respond in the event of one of these types of collisions. Cue a defective tire attorney.
#4. Concussions
Concussions are the fourth most common type of injury. There are many places within a vehicle where it is common for someone to hit their head during a car crash (steering wheel, dashboard, window, etc.). As a result, it is easy for the head to make contact and sustain a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion may include short-term memory loss, dizziness, and/or sensitivity to light. Passengers who suspect they may have sustained a concussion should seek medical treatment immediately, as head injuries can be serious. Medical treatment can also help alleviate the associated pain that comes from concussions and more safely help the brain restore its normal functionality.
#5. Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any sort of injury or damage to the brain can have serious, life-altering effects. When the brain is damaged, it can literally alter the functionality and make changes to how information and emotions are processed. Victims who sustain brain injuries can make full recoveries depending on the extent of the damage, however, that is not always the case. These types of injuries need to be addressed quickly to ensure the injured person is not at risk of potentially deadly complications.
Austin Car Accident Resources
If you have been involved in a car accident, it’s vital to first seek out medical treatment and begin the healing process. Moving forward, Sandoval & James is available to assist you in your case. Locally based, our Austin car accident attorneys are well equipped to help you obtain the best recovery.