Police across the nation reported 7.277 million vehicle crashes to the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016. Of those crashes, only 2.177 million people received injuries. More than 5 million people avoided injury thanks, in part, to modern safety features and use of restraints.

Injuries received during an auto crash depends on the speed vehicles are traveling. Other factors include the areas of impact, what was loose within the vehicle and acted as a projectile, and whether the driver and passengers used restraints.

During a crash, the force of the crash and damage to a vehicle lead to injuries ranging from minor to severe. These are the five most common injuries in auto crashes.

Contusions and Cuts

Even in a low-speed car crash, soft tissue damage is possible. If the seatbelt locks up and holds you steady, contusions or bruises occur where the seatbelt held you in place. Projectiles within a car, such as a purse, cell phone, or travel mug, may fly into you and cause bruising or cuts.

At faster speeds, equipment within the car may get pushed into the vehicle’s cabin. Shifting of the sun visors and rearview mirrors leads to cuts the skin on cheeks and foreheads. Broken glass from windshields and windows can hit the skin and cause scratches. Metal framing that pushes inward also cuts or scrapes the skin.

Some cuts need stitches, staples, or butterfly closures. Mild scratches and scrapes receive cleaning to remove debris. They are disinfected and covered with protective bandages. Bruises are harder to treat. A cool compress helps ease the swelling and discomfort.

Bone Fractures

Fractured bones are likely in a car crash, especially bones in the hands. The force of the steering wheel and airbag on the fingers, hand, and wrist can snap bones backward and lead to breaks or dislocations.

Feet and legs also take a lot of the impact. In a front-end crash, the engine can push into the dash and cause the dash and equipment on the dash to push into feet and knees.

Hip and pelvis fractures happen when the body jerks violently back and forth or to a side. Fractured or broken ribs are possible due to the force of the airbag as it deploys. Bones in the neck and spine may shift out of alignment and fracture during impact.

Fractures or bone breaks may be broken but not out of position, broken into pieces, or in pieces and through the skin. The amount of time needed to heal from a broken bone depends on the severity and location of the break. You may be asked to take it easy for weeks or months. Casts, splints, or surgical intervention are all used to treat breaks. Physical therapy can help you regain mobility.

Brain Injuries

A concussion occurs when the head jerks or moves back and forth in a quick, abrupt manner. The brain gets bounced around within the skull causing damage or chemical imbalances within the brain cells.

Symptoms of a concussion may not appear immediately. Dizziness, headache, nausea, and ringing in the ears are early warning signs. If confusion, lethargy, slurred speech, or seizures occur, the concussion is severe and needs immediate medical attention.

Doctors use CT scans and MRIs to diagnose a concussion. If a scan shows you have suffered a concussion, you’ll need time to heal. Doctors will ask you to relax, avoid any strenuous exercises and tasks that require a lot of focus.

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when the soft tissue within the neck is strained. The tissue of the joints, ligaments, and muscles get stretched suddenly. Neck and shoulder pain and stiffness are key symptoms, but people with whiplash also experience dizziness, a hot prickling sensation, and headaches.

Whiplash needs time to heal. Many individuals heal within 12 weeks. A cervical collar can help support the neck as the soft tissue heals. Heat pads help ease the pain. Plus, NSAID medications help with both pain and inflammation.

Contact an Attorney

If you are injured in a car crash, you must focus on yourself first. Always let an EMT check you over for injuries. Don’t move until you’re told you can. Damage to the neck or spine can be serious and worsen if you shift position.

Go to the hospital if it’s recommended. Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention and get a professional assessment. The shock of the crash increases adrenaline. As the adrenaline levels decline, pain and discomfort may begin to be apparent.

After you’ve been examined by a physician and are able to discuss the crash, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Legal representation protects your interests and helps you focus on yourself. You need time to recuperate from minor or severe injuries. An attorney can look over the reports, file paperwork, talk to automobile insurance companies for you, and make sure you’re getting a fair settlement.

Make sure you’re getting restitution that covers the time it takes to heal physically and emotionally. Schedule an appointment for a consultation as soon as possible.

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by a sudden extension and retraction of the neck. This injury can occur in many ways, but it is often associated with car crashes since the force of the crash can jerk your head forward and backward. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has stated that whiplash is the most frequently reported car crash injury in the U.S.

The symptoms of whiplash can linger for months and severely impact your life. Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to reduce your risk of suffering whiplash in the event of a crash.

How to Prevent Whiplash in Car Crashes

There are several steps you should take before hitting the road in order to reduce your risk of sustaining whiplash in a crash. First, take a few moments to adjust your headrest. As its name suggests, the headrest should be positioned directly behind your head while you are riding in a vehicle. The top of the headrest should be at the same level as the top of your head. If you are tall, the headrest may not extend to the top of your head. In this case, simply raise the headrest as far as it will go. If you are short, the headrest may be above the top of your head even when it is in the lowest position. This is perfectly fine as long as it has lowered as far as possible.

You should also sit back in your seat so there is as little space as possible between the back of your head and the headrest. You may need to adjust the recline angle on your seat to make this happen. According to the Whiplash Prevention Campaign, the seat should be inclined to less than a 20-degree angle. This slight angle keeps your body in place in the event of a crash, so your neck may not jerk forward and backward. A headrest that is within a few inches of the back of your head is twice as effective in preventing whiplash, so this is an important step to follow every time you get into a car.

Wearing your seatbelt can also reduce your risk of sustaining whiplash and other serious injuries in a crash. However, the seatbelt must be worn correctly or it will not be effective. Many people adjust the shoulder belt so it is behind their back instead of across their chest. This adjustment may make the seatbelt more comfortable, but it reduces its effectiveness. Wear the seatbelt properly so it can hold your body in place and minimize movement in a crash.

Even if you follow all of these steps, it’s possible that you will still suffer whiplash if you are hit by another vehicle. If this happens, it’s important that you know exactly what to do to protect yourself and your rights as a car crash victim.

I Sustained Whiplash in a Car crash. What Should I Do?

No matter how minor the crash is, call 9-1-1 right away. If someone is seriously injured, ask the dispatcher to send an ambulance. Otherwise, simply tell the dispatcher you will need a police officer to come to the scene to take a report.

You may not need emergency medical treatment at the scene of the crash. But, it’s in your best interest to seek medical attention immediately following a crash even if you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort yet. The adrenaline that is rushing through your body after a car crash can mask pain, so the symptoms of an injury may not appear until hours or days after the crash. Seek medical attention right away so a doctor can examine, diagnose, and treat your injuries.

Before leaving the scene of the crash, it’s important to take pictures of the crash. Photograph the vehicles, including the way they are positioned and the damage that occurred as a result of the impact. You should also take pictures of your surroundings to capture traffic lights, signs, and debris that may be in the road. All of these photos are vital to your personal injury case.

If anyone saw the crash occur, try to make contact with them prior to leaving the scene. Ask for their contact information and a brief description of what they saw. Their testimony may be used to prove that the other driver was at fault for the crash. You will also need to exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved in the crash. When speaking to other parties at the scene, do not discuss the details of the crash. You may end up taking responsibility for the crash or telling the other parties that you are not injured, which can hurt your personal injury claim.

After you have been treated for your injuries, seek legal representation from a personal injury attorney. If the crash occurred due to another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your whiplash injury. But first, you must convince the at-fault party’s insurance company that you deserve compensation. An attorney can ensure the insurance company does not try to blame you for the crash by presenting evidence that clearly shows their policyholder is at fault. A personal injury attorney can also calculate the value of your claim and negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.

Are you suffering from whiplash as a result of another driver’s negligence? If so, contact Trial Lawyers for Justice today to schedule a consultation regarding your case. Our team of personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Let us handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus solely on your recovery.