The combination of speed and great weight makes the issue of motor vehicle accidents a serious concern for North Carolina drivers. Even the smallest accident has the potential to cause a significant injury.
These injuries range from something as small as a minor bruise to as significant as a traumatic brain injury.
A breakdown of the most common injuries
The National Law Journal cites statistics that show people involved in a car accident receive injuries about 20% of the time. The article puts the injuries into four major types:
- Soft tissue
- Head
- Mental or emotional
- Internal injuries
Soft tissue injuries include bruises, whiplash and such conditions as back or neck hernias and ruptures. Head injuries range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder can result in mental issues such as fear of driving and insomnia. Internal injuries include broken bones and internal bleeding due to organ damage.
A look at the impact of hidden injuries
After a motor vehicle accident, it is not uncommon for drivers to fail to recognize a significant injury. The National Law Journal reports on types of injuries people sometimes overlook, at least at first. In the case of a whiplash injury, often the result of a rear collision, symptoms might not appear for several days. Eventually, though, symptoms such as pain and loss of range of motion begin to manifest.
Concussion victims also commonly face delayed symptoms. Headaches, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness and blurred or double vision often appear after several days. People also sometimes fail to identify the psychological effects of a car accident, which can include fear of driving and depression. For these reasons, individuals should consider medical treatment after any motor vehicle accident.
