Common Types of Injuries Sustained in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Whiplash

A common neck injury caused by rapid movement of the neck back and forth in a whip-like motion.

Frequently occur in car accidents – and particularly rear-end collisions

Can occur in accidents involving vehicle speeds as low as 5 to 10 mph.

1M More than 1 million Americans suffer whiplash in accidents each year.

10% About 10 percent of whiplash patients suffer from long-term, chronic neck pain, and headaches.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Severe brain injuries caused by forceful blows, bumps, or penetrating injuries to the head.

Concussions are a common and less severe form of TBI.

Some patients may recover from milder forms of TBI within days or weeks, while severe TBIs can affect patients for years or even a lifetime.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of TBI-related hospital visits in the U.S., accounting for more than 20 percent of these visits.

20%

Spinal cord injuries

Injuries involving damage to the spinal cord, which carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Spinal cord damage can cause loss of muscle control and sensation.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury.

The average hospital stay for spinal cord injury patients is 11 to 36 days, and recovery progresses most quickly during the first six months of treatment.

Broken bones

Common injuries that involve complete or partial fractures to a bone.

A simple/closed fracture causes a bone to break without piercing the skin.

A compound/open fracture causes a complete break to the bone, which then punctures the skin.

The average recovery takes six to eight weeks but varies based on the type of break.

More than 6 million broken bones occur each year in the United States, and 33 percent occur because of severe trauma, such as the trauma of a car crash.

33%

Burns

Skin or tissue damage caused by heat, friction, or chemical exposure.

Road rash is a common type of friction burn from car accidents caused by contact with abrasive road surfaces.

Recovery from minor first-degree and second-degree burns takes days or weeks.

Recovery from more serious third-degree and fourth-degree burns can take much longer and may leave patients with permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Nearly 10 percent of civilian fire deaths result from accident-related car fires

10%

Amputations

Complete loss of a body part such as an arm, leg, toe, or finger.

More than 30,000 traumatic amputations occur each year.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic amputation injuries.

In some cases, amputated limbs may be reattached within four days of amputation.

If it is not possible to save the limb, recovery involves months or years of physical therapy, artificial limbs, assistive devices, and psychological counseling.

70 percent of traumatic amputations in the U.S. involve upper body parts, such as arms and hands.

70%

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A severe anxiety disorder caused by exposure to disturbing, dangerous, or violent events such as car accidents.

Car accidents are the top cause of PTSD in the non-military population.

With psychological treatment, many patients recover within six months, though some develop chronic conditions that may last a lifetime.

More than 22 percent of car accident survivors suffer from PTSD.

22%

Our Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys Can Help

If you were injured in a Atlanta car accident, the best way to pursue the personal and financial recovery you deserve may be by filing a personal injury claim with an experienced attorney. Contact the knowledgeable car accident lawyers of Butler Kahn today to discuss the details of your case in a free, confidential case review.

Common Types of Injuries Sustained in a Motor Vehicle Accident Infographic