The top 10 injuries caused by car accidents

Whiplash occurs when there is sudden movement of your head and neck. In a car, whiplash is caused by the sudden deceleration of the vehicle as it crashes. You’re likely to injure your tendons and soft tissue. This is a severe medical injury. Don’t be afraid to file a personal injury claim if you experience whiplash.

If you get in a car accident and only walk away with scrapes and cuts, consider yourself lucky – it could have been a lot worse. That said, these injuries are still claimable. Photograph the injuries before you get treated, and watch out for infections – always see a doctor after the accident.

Your ribs act as a protective cage for your vital organs, which means they’ll usually take the brunt of the damage in a car accident. When you’re pushed around by a crash or collision, your ribs can break due to the force of the impact. You can require time off work with broken ribs, so it’s worth claiming.

When you get into a car accident, you can fracture and break more than just your ribs. Either type of crash – a side-on or rear-end impact – can result in a fracture which can vary in complexity. Severe fractures may require surgery but generally, fractures usually require 6-8 weeks healing time. You’ll want to claim for any costs like loss of earnings.

Head injuries can also vary in complexity, and they’re difficult to diagnose. Depending on how you injure yourself and how it affects you, you could suffer permanent brain damage, memory loss, concussions, severe cranial trauma and impaired motor function – the list is limitless.

Bleeding internally is a massive problem and, if left untreated, can kill you with little-to-no warning. If you’ve been in a car accident, you should see a doctor immediately to ensure there is no internal bleeding.

You can easily rupture or herniate a disc in a car accident. If you injure the discs in your neck and spine, which protect the body from impact, it can cause long-term damage and pain.

When you crash your vehicle, you may injure your knees when they collide with the dashboard or steering wheel. You might never be able to walk correctly again or face lifelong pain. You can claim physiotherapy and permanent damage if you damage your knees.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is sadly common after a bad accident. You’re likely to face flashbacks, anxiety, mental health issues like depression and a generally impacted quality of life. You can and should claim emotional and psychological damage and therapy costs.

Those in car accidents often experience guilt, which is expected in the face of such an extreme accident. You may blame yourself or wonder what you could have done to change the outcome. It’s normal to need therapy to help work through these feelings, and you should claim for the costs.

If you were injured in a road traffic accident, speak to one of our experienced injury experts who will help you build your personal injury case. Our specialists will be able to advise you on all aspects of your claim.