When we think about the types of injuries that might be suffered in an auto accident, harm like whiplash to the neck, broken arms, or lacerations from flying glass come immediately to mind. But the range of injuries that can be sustained in a car accident is far broader. Here are some types of car crash injuries that may surprise you:
Hip and Lower Spine Fractures
Your hips and lower spine may seem like they’d be pretty safe in a car accident. They’re cushioned by the seat and held in place with the seat belt, after all.
In fact, hip and lower back fractures happen in hundreds of car accidents each year. They are more likely to happen to people with osteoporosis or other pre-existing bone conditions, but if the forces imposed by the crash are severe enough, they can happen to anyone.
Organ Damage
An organ transplant after a car accident? It’s not unheard of. Forces from a crash that can break bones can also damage organs, and flying debris can pierce or puncture the abdomen, causing harm. In some cases, organ damage occurs even though the organ did not suffer direct damage from the crash: a loss of blood supply to any organ of the body due to another bodily injury can lead to tissue damage or death.
Psychological Injuries
Car accidents are a common cause of post-traumatic stress in both children and adults. Post-traumatic stress occurs when the body and mind’s ordinary reaction to a traumatic event—the reaction designed to keep you safe in the face of actual danger—continues even after the danger has passed. Problems with attention, mood, and memory can result. “Flashbacks” may occur, in which your mind relives the event as if it is happening in the present, without your consent or control. Psychological injuries are real. They can be every bit as disabling as physical injuries, and like physical injuries, they can be treated medically in many cases.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in South Jersey, don’t hesitate to call an experienced attorney to help you protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.