As a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles specializing in car accidents, we’ve seen firsthand the wide range of injuries that can result from a motor vehicle collision. If you’ve been in a recent car accident in the LA area, it’s important to be aware of the most common types of injuries so you can identify if you may have a personal injury claim.
Here are some of the most frequent car accident injuries we encounter in our practice:
Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Car accident injuries fall into two types of categories: impact and penetrating.
Impact injuries include hitting one’s head or being thrown against the side of the vehicle.
Penetrating injuries include cuts and lacerations and cuts and may be caused by broken windows or unsecured items.
These are some of the most common injuries associated with car accidents:
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. It occurs when the body moves backward and forward suddenly, typically after a car has been rear-ended.
Muscles, tendons and ligaments can suffer injuries from the sudden jolt the body receives during impact.
Whiplash can be long-term if not properly treated.
Back Injuries
These types of injuries usually occur due to the forward thrust of the body against a seatbelt.
Multiple points on the back, including the lower lumbar region, middle and upper, can be impacted.
Back injuries can be temporary and cause pain or stiffness or cause long-term disability.
Head Injuries
Head injuries such as concussions may not be noticeable at first and should be checked promptly to avoid any serious complications.
A blow to the head or any motion that causes the brain to twist and tear inside the skull can result in traumatic brain injury and cell damage.
Broken Bones
The force of a car crash can easily lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or other bones. Although any bone can be fractured in an accident depending on the impact, rib fractures are the most common injury. Broken bones require immediate medical treatment and may need surgery, physical therapy, and a lengthy recovery process.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be some of the most serious and life-altering injuries that may occur in car accidents.
Messages that the spinal cord sends from the brain to the body may be disrupted, possibly resulting in paralysis.
These types of injuries often need ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Facial Injuries
These common car accident injuries may occur when your face hits the vehicle’s airbag or other object.
Fractures may occur in the nose, jaw, cheekbones and eye sockets. Injuries can cause pain, swelling and bruising.
More serious injuries can also cause disfigurement and require reconstruction procedures and lengthy recovery times.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, contusions and torn ligaments can be painful but are recoverable. However, if left untreated, these injuries can worsen and become chronic.
Chest Injuries
From rib fractures to collapsed lungs, chest injuries can be serious and sometimes fatal.
Typically caused by a collision’s impact, chest injuries can be as severe as a head injury and should be addressed immediately after a car accident.
Internal Injuries
Damage to internal organs can occur after a car crash forces your body into an object or your body is hit by debris.
Common internal injuries such as internal bleeding, bruising and broken ribs may occur.
Psychological Injuries
It isn’t unusual to experience anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if you have suffered car accident injuries.
The emotional and mental stress related to a car accident can be overwhelming for some people. Some accident victims become so anxious that they no longer want to drive, for example.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
- Distracted driving: Technology such as smartphones, as well as food, music and passengers are constant driver distractions.
- Reckless driving: Showing disregard for other drivers, such as drifting from lane to lane or making illegal turns, increases the risk of an accident.
- Speeding: The faster you drive, the less reaction time you have when something unexpected occurs, such as someone cutting into your lane at the last minute.
- Driving under the influence: Excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs amplifies dangers on the road. Prescription medication can also impair a driver’s ability to drive safely.
- Driving while tired: Driving while fatigued can impair a driver’s ability to drive safely.
- Bad weather: Slippery, rainy roads and bad visibility due to fog or other weather conditions are major causes of accidents.
Avoiding Car Accident Injuries
While there isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent all car accident injuries, you can do your part to help minimize any injuries.
- Wear your seat belt: Seat belts provide added security that can help prevent many serious injuries, so it’s important to always wear them when in a vehicle.
- Follow the speed limit: You may not be able to control other drivers’ actions, but obeying the speed limit will help protect you in an accident.
- Keep your vehicle well maintained: Keeping your car in good working order and your tires properly inflated can help prevent accidents due to mechanical failure.
- Designate a sober driver: If you plan to drink, have someone else drive. Or call a rideshare company for a ride.
- Focus on driving: Avoid texting or engaging in other activities that take your attention away from the road while driving.
Types of Car Accidents
Different types of vehicle collisions can cause different types of injuries.
- Head-on collisions: Can be deadly and lead to serious injuries. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, back and spinal cord injuries, and lost limbs.
- Rear-end accidents: Whiplash is commonly experienced in these types of collisions, although other back and neck injuries may also occur. Other forms of injuries resulting from rear-end collisions include soft-tissue injuries and head injuries.
- Side impact collisions: You are likely to be injured if you are on the side of the car where the impact occurred. Common injuries that arise from side impact accidents include neck, chest, head and brain, back, limb, and abdominal injuries.
The Impact of Common Los Angeles Car Accident Injuries
The effects of a car accident injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the crash. Some of the key ways a car accident injury may impact your life include:
Medical Costs
Even minor injuries from a car accident can be costly to treat. More serious injuries can result in tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and ongoing healthcare needs.
Inability to Work
If you sustain minor injuries, you may need to take a few days off work to recover. However, severe injuries could prevent you from returning to work for an extended period or even permanently. This can have significant financial consequences, as well as emotional and social impacts.
Disability
Serious car accident injuries that leave you unable to care for yourself can be incredibly frustrating and detrimental to your quality of life. Adjusting your lifestyle to accommodate a disability can be both expensive and psychologically challenging.
No matter the severity, seek prompt medical attention after any car accident. Failing to do so could worsen your injuries and make it more difficult to recover compensation.
Call Our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers Today for More Information
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, seek medical care right away and consult our experienced personal injury attorneys to ensure your legal rights are protected. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our lawyers will help you by:
- Investigating your case
- Hiring experts to strengthen your claim
- Proving fault
- Accurately calculating your damages
- Maximizing your settlement
To learn more about our legal services and how to get started, please reach out to us by phone or online for your free consultation.