Not all car accidents cause personal injury, but many of them do. When people do get injured, there are some types of injuries that are more common than others. A person that is hurt in a car accident will often experience not just physical trauma, but emotional and mental trauma, as well. In some cases, these injuries can lead to permanent disability, or even death.

Because car accidents often result in fast moving vehicles coming to a rapid and disastrous halt, many of the injuries seen after car accidents are similar. Below is a list of the most common forms of injury caused by a car crash in the United States.

• Brain and Head Trauma – The movement of the brain within the skull can cause very serious injuries. Concussions, internal bleeding, and brain damage can all occur without any external tissue damage, and no outwardly visible signs of damage. We also have a comprehensive brain injury page here.

• Neck Trauma – The neck is responsible for supporting the head, with is rather heavy, and carries quite a lot of momentum. When suddenly stopping, or changing direction abruptly, the weight of the head can cause the neck to whip and bend in unnatural ways, causing damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues within.

• Back and Spinal Trauma – These injuries don’t always appear right away, and may require the attention of a medical professional in order to detect. When they do appear, they can be quite painful and debilitating. Damaged spinal discs, fractured vertebrae, sprains, and strains are all likely types of injury.

• Face Trauma – When coming to an abrupt stop, it’s easy for the face to come in contact with the steering wheel, dash board, air bags, the back of other seats, or front or side glass. Bruises, cuts, abrasions, and broken teeth or bones are all included in this category, and are more likely when seat belts aren’t worn.

• Internal Trauma – Like all other injuries caused by sudden stops, the internal organs of the human body don’t respond well to collisions. Even when seat belts are worn, the forces generated in a car crash can cause serious damage to the heart, lungs, intestines, spleen, liver, kidneys, or the aorta. When enough force is applied to injure internal organs, it’s likely that rib fractures also occur.

• Psychological Trauma – After a serious physical injury, psychological and emotional trauma are also experienced. Being disabled, even temporarily, can effect a person’s self worth, and cause feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the even that you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, you should seek the help of an attorney specializing in personal injury.