11 Common Types of Car Accident Injuries in Philadelphia

Ryan Zavodnick | November 26, 2019 | Car Accidents

Car accidents are pretty common in Philadelphia. According to Philly car accident statistics, there were more than 30 crashes every single day in Philadelphia County in 2018. Many of these accidents inflict a wide range of injuries. These are the most common injuries reported after car accidents in Philadephia.

Back Injury

The back is strong, but it’s also quite vulnerable to injury. The trauma of an accident can do extensive damage to muscle and tissue, as well as to the spinal column. Some of the most commonly reported back injuries following a car accident include herniated discs and nerve damage.

Broken Bones

Broken bones aren’t uncommon following a Philadelphia car accident, for a lot of different reasons. The force of impact from a seatbelt or airbag can be strong enough to crack ribs or cause other bones to fracture. Alternatively, passengers who are thrown inside the vehicle or ejected can sustain fractures when they make contact with the ground or the vehicle’s hard steel exterior.

Chest Injury

Airbags can play a critical role in reducing the severity of injuries a passenger might sustain in an accident. However, airbags tend to deploy at about 16 MPH. While the device may prevent a passenger from being ejected, it can cause damage on its own. The force of impact is strong enough to cause chest injuries, including broken bones and punctured lungs.

Concussion

Concussions are a common head injury reported by car accident victims. A concussion, which is actually a type of mild traumatic brain injury, occurs when the head moves back and forth rapidly. The trauma can cause the brain to hit the skull, resulting in an altered mental state, confusion, and even a loss of consciousness.

Crushing Injury

A crushing injury occurs when the body – or part of the body – is caught between two objects. A car accident victim might become pinned between their vehicle and the ground or crushed between two cars. The force of the objects can cause extensive damage, including internal trauma, fractures, and compartment syndrome. Individuals who have sustained a crushing injury are at risk for complications, including infection and DVT.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition where blood clots form in the leg. Those clots can dislodge and travel through the veins to different parts of the body. DVT can potentially be fatal if those clots reach the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. DVT tends to occur when there’s a disruption in blood flow in the body.

Eye Injury

Eye injuries, including detached retinas, are fairly common for car accident victims. Debris created by a collision can easily puncture or otherwise damage the eyes, which aren’t typically protected in an accident. Some car accident victims also sustain eye injuries when they come into contact with harmful chemicals or substances, such as gasoline or brake fluid.

Internal Injury

Just because injuries aren’t visible doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. Internal injuries are incredibly common and are often among the most severe. Internal injuries can include bleeding, organ damage, and even spinal cord injury. If these injuries are not diagnosed and treated promptly, victims might be at risk of developing severe, even life-threatening – complications.

Knee Injury

The knees can easily become injured in a car accident, especially if the force of impact forces a passenger forward to make contact with the dashboard. Additionally, atypical twisting and turning can place a lot of strain on the knees and ligaments, resulting in debilitating soft tissue injuries that can take a long time to heal.

Lacerations

Lacerations, or cuts, can be incredibly painful and result in rapid blood loss. Cuts sustained in an accident on debris, damaged parts of a vehicle, or broken glass can make victims susceptible to infection and other serious health issues. Lacerations should be treated promptly by an experienced medical professional to reduce the risk of complications.

Whiplash

Whiplash is perhaps the most common car accident injury. It typically happens when individuals are involved in rear-end collisions. The force of impact causes the head to whip back and forth rapidly. As a result, the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck extend beyond their normal range, resulting in damage and impairment. The symptoms of whiplash can take hours, or even days, to manifest after an accident.

Injured in a car accident in Philadelphia? Don’t hesitate to call a personal injury lawyer for help recovering compensation from at-fault parties.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.