Types of Car Accident Injuries
Vehicle collisions remain a significant public health concern, causing millions of injuries annually.
While safety features in modern vehicles have improved, many injuries still occur during car accidents.
Understanding these common injuries is crucial for both preventive measures and proper post-accident care.
| Injury Type | Description/Examples |
|---|---|
| Soft tissue injuries | Whiplash, sprains, strains, muscle/tendon damage |
| Neck/back injuries | Whiplash, spinal cord injury, and herniated discs |
| Fractures/broken bones | Arms, legs, ribs, hips, wrists, collarbones |
| Head injuries | Concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI) |
| Chest injuries | Rib fractures, bruising, internal organ damage |
| Internal injuries | Internal bleeding, organ rupture, pneumothorax |
| Cuts/lacerations | From glass, metal, or debris |
Car accident injuries generally fall into two broad categories: impact and penetrating.
Impact injuries occur when a person’s body strikes part of the vehicle’s interior or when the force of the collision is absorbed by the body.
Penetrating injuries typically include cuts and scrapes from shattered glass or loose objects that become projectiles during an accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries- damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons- are consistently reported as the most common type of injury resulting from car accidents. The most prevalent among these is whiplash, a neck strain or sprain.
Neck strain/sprain represents 27.8% of all injuries to motor vehicle occupants treated in emergency departments.
In one comprehensive study, the neck was the anatomical region sustaining most injuries (39%) among car users. Other research confirms that neck sprain (33%) was the most common injury among car occupants.
These injuries often occur when the impact of a collision causes the head to move rapidly back and forth, stretching the muscles and ligaments in the neck beyond their normal range.
While many soft tissue injuries heal with time, some can lead to chronic pain and disability.
Contusions and Surface Injuries
Contusions with intact skin surface (bruising) constitute the second most common car accident injury, appearing in 34.8% of motor vehicle accident-related emergency department visits.
These injuries occur when blood vessels under the skin rupture due to blunt force trauma during a collision.
Superficial injuries, including abrasions and minor cuts, account for 11.8% of emergency department visits following car accidents. Though less severe than other injury types, these can still require medical attention, especially when numerous or affecting sensitive areas.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Broken bones frequently result from the tremendous forces involved in vehicle collisions. Common fracture sites include:
Lower Extremity Fractures
The tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) are among the most commonly fractured bones in car accidents. According to one study, tibial open fractures occur in 48.2% of vehicular accident victims.
Femur (thigh bone) fractures are prevalent in younger adults, with one comparative analysis finding that 64% of motor vehicle accident victims aged 16 to 30 suffered from middle femur fractures. These injuries can be life-threatening as patients can lose up to 1.5 liters of blood from a closed femur fracture alone.
Upper Extremity and Trunk Fractures
Upper limb fractures appear in approximately 4.7% of emergency department visits for car accidents, while neck and trunk fractures account for 4.8%. During recovery, these injuries often require surgical intervention, casting, and extensive physical therapy.
Head and Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) represent one of the most serious consequences of car accidents. Each year, 50,000 people die from TBI, with another 80,000 to 90,000 suffering long-term disability. In emergency department visits for motor vehicle accidents, intracranial injuries account for 4.9% of cases.
Head injuries range from mild concussions to severe trauma, with symptoms that can persist for months or years. The sudden stopping motion in a collision can cause the brain to impact the inside of the skull, potentially causing bruising, bleeding, and nerve damage.
Spinal and Back Injuries
Spinal cord injuries resulting from car accidents can cause partial or total paralysis below the injury level. The human body and spine are not designed to withstand the heavy impacts of collisions, making back injuries particularly common.
Back injuries may not always be immediately apparent, sometimes developing symptoms days after the accident. The pain and disability from serious back injuries can be severe and persistent, often requiring extensive treatment.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries, including damage to organs and internal bleeding, occur in approximately 2.6% of motor vehicle accident-related emergency department visits. These potentially life-threatening injuries require immediate medical attention.
When a crash forces the body into an object or flying debris strikes the body, internal organs may be damaged. The liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs are particularly vulnerable to trauma during car accidents.
Distribution of Injuries by Crash Type
The pattern of injuries varies significantly depending on the type of collision:
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In frontal impacts, the lower limbs and thorax are the most injured regions
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In side impacts, the upper limbs, head, and thorax are more likely to be injured
Additionally, occupant position affects injury distribution. For instance, rear-seat passengers experience fewer cervical spinal injuries compared to drivers and front-seat passengers.
Injury Statistics and Demographics
Emergency department data shows that young adults bear the highest burden of car accident injuries. The emergency department visit rate for motor vehicle traffic injuries was highest among persons aged 16-24 years, with rates declining with age thereafter.
In terms of overall distribution, a CDC study found the following ranking of injuries treated in emergency departments:
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Sprains (44.4%)
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Contusions with intact skin surface (34.8%)
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Superficial injuries (11.8%)
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Open wounds (10.2%)
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Traumatic complications and unspecified injuries (9.3%)
Conclusion
Car accidents produce a wide range of injuries, with soft tissue injuries, particularly neck strains and sprains, being the most frequent. Contusions, superficial injuries, fractures, and more severe trauma, like head injuries and internal organ damage, also commonly occur. Understanding these common injury patterns can help medical professionals better prepare to treat accident victims and may improve vehicle safety design.
