Did you know that there are roughly 900 car traffic injuries every single day in the UK? Thankfully, the vast majority of those result in only minor injuries that often require no or minimal medical intervention.
But given the nature of these types of accidents, there are more than 100,000 people who require medical treatment following an incident on the road. In this post, we’ll run through five of the most common road accident injuries. Note that while the injuries we list are for car accidents, there’s also a significant overlap with bicycle and motorbike injuries.
Whiplash
Whiplash is by far the most common car accident injury. It’s usually caused by the sudden back-and-forth jolting movement that occurs when a vehicle comes to a sudden stop. The body tries to move forward with the momentum of the crash, but the seatbelt stops it from doing so. The neck, which the seatbelt doesn’t protect as extensively as it does for other parts of the body, experiences the sudden move that results in muscle and ligament strains. Whiplash can be a slow-acting injury, with pain and discomfort only presenting itself a day or two after the accident.
Head Injuries
Head injuries caused by a road traffic incident are common and are also one of the more serious injuries that can occur. They happen when the momentum of the crash forces the head to collide with another object. Given the severity of these types of incidents, head injury compensation tends to be higher than the compensation for other types of injuries. It’s important to note that, as with whiplash, the effects of a head injury aren’t always immediately apparent. In some cases, there can be virtually no indication that a head injury has occurred well after the accident. For that reason, it’s important to get yourself checked out by a medical professional even if you don’t think that you have experienced an injury.
Back Injuries
Car accidents commonly impact the back, which is generally considered a sensitive part of the body. Back injuries resulting from a car accident can take many different forms, including sprains, strains, and spasms, lumbar fractures, and spinal cord injuries. As with head injuries, it’s important to seek medical help even if you’re experiencing only mild back discomfort. Back injuries tend to worsen over time if left untreated.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones and fractures are common car accident injuries. They usually occur because people brace themselves before an impact, which increases the risk of bone damage. These injuries can vary from mild to severe, but even minor breaks can have a major disruption on your day-to-day life.
Psychological Injuries
Finally, one of the more underreported side effects of car accidents is the psychological impact they can have. Many people who are involved in accidents find that they are afraid of getting behind the wheel because they fear being involved in another accident. This feeling usually passes with time, but in some cases, professional intervention may be required.
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