Around 20 to 50 million people suffer injuries from road accidents every year. Many suffer from getting a disability because of their injuries. Such injuries cause significant economic losses to individuals and their families.
Common car accident injuries can range from small bruises and cuts to severe trauma. Knowing the most common injuries can help in preventative driving.
Read on to know the common car accident injuries and how to avoid them.
Head Injuries
This can range from moderate concussions to severe brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can have other complications in the future. Grave head injuries often need extensive and long-term treatment.
Keeping good posture in the car is the best way to avoid head injuries. This can reduce the chances of hitting your head in case of an accident. Wear your seatbelt at all times.
Neck Injuries
One of the common car accident injuries is whiplash. This is the sprain or strain of the neck tissues caused by the forceful jolting of the head. Patients can suffer generalized pain or even paralysis of the vocal cords.
Neck injuries are common in rear-end collisions. To avoid them, always face forwards when traveling and avoid slouching. Always wear your seatbelt.
Chest Injuries
This can include broken ribs and collapsed lungs. It’s also for it to develop into internal bleeding and severe damage to internal organs. Chest injuries in car accidents are often the most severe.
Severe chest injuries are common in high-speed, high-impact collisions. This makes them harder to avoid because one’s posture does not hold much effect on the outcome. Wearing your seatbelt is the best way to reduce more severe injuries.
Psychological Trauma
Some can incur mental and emotional trauma because of a car accident. This can go with severe physical injuries or if the accident involved fatalities.
For instance, survivors can develop post-traumatic stress disorder and guilt. This can affect people’s ability to cope and function.
When you get involved in a car accident, it’s important to seek immediate medical help. View more information on why it’s important.
How to Avoid Car Accidents and Injuries
It’s hard to avoid car accidents since you can’t control other drivers or the road’s conditions. The best you can do for car accident prevention is practicing driving safety. This includes:
- Always wearing seatbelts, even for brief drives
- Never driving when you’re intoxicated
- Following all state and federal traffic laws
- Focusing on the road and avoiding distractions like using your phone or eating
- Avoiding driving when you’re tired
It’s also best to avoid overspeeding even when it seems safe. Don’t count on other drivers to follow traffic rules, be extra careful. This can mean pausing before entering or leaving an intersection to check if it’s safe.
Stay Safe from Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause injuries ranging from mild bruises to severe trauma. Common car accident injuries are most dangerous when they involve the head, neck, or chest. Knowing these common injuries can help you avoid them. Want to know more about driving safety? Read our other guides here.