Although California is one of the most beautiful states to live in the USA, it has one of the worst driving safety rates in the country. This is because residents rely heavily on various means of transportation, especially cars, to get around which increases the chances of car accidents.

For example, San Diego is one of the busiest metropolitan cities in the Golden State where a lot of car accidents happen on a daily basis. While some of the victims of these accidents end up with minor injuries, others may suffer from fatal ones that can have a negative impact both on their physical and mental health.

Because going through recovery after such a collision can be overwhelming, you can always seek advice from the best local personal injury attorney San Diego has to offer who can guide you along the way and ensure that your rights are protected.

In the meantime, you should learn everything there is to know about the most common car accident injuries.

Scrapes and cuts

Depending on the severity of the car accident, the victim is likely to suffer from penetrating injuries. They typically involve cuts and scrapes which are a result of shattering glass or loose objects flying inside the car on impact. They can be painful and even pose a risk for infections and other complications if left untreated.

For example, if the windshield breaks, the broken glass can cause facial injuries to the driver. These wounds can range from lacerations to facial deformities which often require immediate medical care and frequently leave accident victims with scars.

Fractures and broken bones

If you suffer from impact injuries in a car accident, then that means you have hit a part of your body from some part of the interior of the car. This puts your skeleton under stress which it cannot withstand, causing fractures or broken bones as a result.

For example, the ribs are very fragile and even the lightest or most moderate impact can cause them to break. You may suffer from broken ribs if you are pushed forward, backward or sideways during the collision. This type of injury can be quite painful and requires a long period of time to recover.

Soft tissue injuries

Soft tissue injuries are another type of injury resulting from a car accident. They refer to the damage done to the body’s connective tissues – the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Soft tissue injuries can take many forms, with whiplash being the most common. It is described as the forceful stretching of the muscles and ligaments in the victim’s neck and upper back. Such strains can be very painful and take several weeks to recover.

Minor whiplash injuries can be treated by icing the injured areas and taking painkiller medication, while moderate ones may require a neck brace and a massage.

Head injuries

Head injuries are very common and often deadly for car accident victims. They can range from a concussion to a traumatic brain injury which can have potentially life-altering effects.

For example, if you suffer from a concussion, you may experience problems with your memory like remembering what you were doing prior to the accident. Undergoing immediate treatment can alleviate headaches and help restore your brain to a healthy state.

The same applies with TBI which must be treated properly right away in order to avoid long-term problems that may impair your brain function.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Besides suffering from physical injuries, car accidents can also have a negative impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing. The truth is getting involved in a collision is a very stressful and overwhelming event that can easily lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some of the symptoms you may experience include being scared of driving after an accident, sleeping problems, aversion to certain sounds, or having images associated with the collision. That’s why victims should immediately seek help from professionals to combat PTSD and return to their normal life as soon as possible.

Final thoughts

The truth is a car accident can result in any type of injury, ranging from minor to catastrophic or in some cases even fatal. That’s why it is important that victims always check to see whether they have suffered from any injuries in a collision so they can get proper medical care and treatment. This can certainly help speed up the recovery process and also prevent further physical and mental injuries later on.

For more information on this matter, refer back to our post and learn about the most common car accident injuries.