In the aftermath of a crash, the cost of medical care can be especially challenging. Those who have suffered severe injuries may require long-term or even lifelong medical care, and the conditions that result can leave them disabled and unable to work.
Broken bones
Car crashes can cause a variety of broken bones, which can limit your mobility, prevent you from working and potentially do more damage to your brain or internal organs if left untreated. For example, your ribs might be broken from a deploying airbag, or your ankle might break from getting caught under the pedals. These injuries can require surgery if they are particularly severe.
Spine and back injuries
Injuries to the back—whether to the muscles and nerves of the back or to the spine itself—can cause severe pain and limit range of motion, either of which can be disabling. Car accidents can cause a wide variety of different injuries to the neck and back, including torn ligaments, lumbar strains and herniated disks.
Neck injuries
In a car crash, the neck can be rapidly thrown back and forth in an injury that is commonly called whiplash. The Mayo Clinic notes that rear-end collisions are a common cause of whiplash. This injury can cause headaches, limited range of motion or pain with neck motion, all of which can develop within days of the accident.
Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result form a blow to the head that damages the brain inside the skull. These injuries can result in memory issues, impairments of vision or hearing, mental health issues, nausea, dizziness, movement challenges and seizures. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes cause one out of every five TBI-related hospitalizations, making car accidents one of the most common causes of these severe injuries.
Because these injuries can require extensive medical care and could be fatal if left untreated, it is important for those who have been injured in a car accident to seek medical treatment immediately. That medical treatment could be key to treating these injuries and to preventing future damage.