The Law Office of Henry Ahrens                                                                                                  619-284-2884

While car accident injuries can vary from person to person and from crash to crash, there are some fairly common ones.  This discussion provides a general overview of common car accident injuries.  More specific information for a particular case should always be obtained from a doctor.

 

Common Auto Accident Injuries:

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Neck Injury

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Probably the most well known car accident injury is whiplash.  A sudden explosive movement of the head and neck from front to back (such as from a rear-end collision) can cause serious neck muscle and ligament damage.  Whiplash injuries can differ from person to person, depending on the accident and the health of the person involved. 

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Connective Tissue Injury

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Muscles, tendons, or ligaments can be stretched or torn in an accident and the resulting pain can be significant and long lasting.  Such injuries may require surgery to repair.

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Spinal Cord Injury

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Herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal cord damage, sprains, or strains can often result from automobile accidents.  Patients often experience numbness, tingling or burning sensations, muscle weakness, and arm or leg pain radiating down the limb towards the fingers or toes.

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Head & Brain Injury

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One of the most serious injuries include concussions or other traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding and skull fractures. 

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Broken Bones

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Blunt force trauma from car accidents can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs and broken bones.  Common types of broken bones include:  (a) stable fractures (where the broken bones line up and are barely out of place); (b) open compound fractures (where the skin may be pierced by the bone; (c) transverse fractures (a type of fracture with a horizontal fracture line); (d) oblique fractures (a fracture with an angled pattern); and (e) comminuted fractures (a very serious fracture in which the bone shatters into three or more pieces).

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Emotional Distress

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Counseling and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and similar psychological injuries is fairly common.  Being involved in a serious automobile accident can be quite emotionally jarring and can make one contemplate their own mortality.  Further, if a person is unable to engage in their normal activities following a car accident and cannot work and provide for their family, this could lead to serious mood swings, feelings of inadequacy and depression.

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