According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 374,342 traffic crashes involving 630,550 drivers in 2015. That’s more than 1,000 traffic crashes every day in the state of Florida.
Also according to the FLHSMV, there were 243,316 reported injuries arising from these crashes, and 2,939 fatalities.
Long story short, car accidents and car accident injuries are an all-too-common occurrence in Florida. One question that many people have is: “what kind of car accident injuries are the most common in Florida?”
While we hope that you never have to deal with an auto accident injury, knowing what kinds of injuries are common can help you be prepared should the worst happen.
The nature and severity of car accident injuries that may be suffered can vary depending on a number of factors, such as speed, safety equipment used, types of vehicles involved in the accident, road conditions, and other factors.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Florida
Common injuries from a car accident in Florida include (but are not limited to):
Neck Injuries (Whiplash)
This type of injury is highly common in head-on or rear-end collisions where the force of impact can send your head/body forward or backward suddenly.
What many people don’t realize is that even low-impact “fender bender” car accidents can cause mild whiplash with a delayed onset of symptoms. According to urgentcarefl.com, signs of whiplash you may need to watch out for include “low back pain, nausea, blurred vision, headaches, and shoulder pain.”
Brain Trauma
Especially severe crashes have been known to cause brain trauma in car accident victims. Any accident that causes a shock to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury. These injuries are particularly difficult to deal with, as they can impair motor function, reasoning, and memory retention, and may be life-threatening.
It’s hard to predict how brain trauma can affect you, so it’s very important to get a thorough medical examination if you suffer any form of head injury in a car accident.
Spine & Back Injuries
Even with modern safety equipment, spinal cord injuries can still occur in any accident that’s severe enough. Just like with traumatic brain injuries, spine and back injuries are incredibly dangerous, and may cause a number of permanently-debilitating conditions.
Immediate medical care is necessary if you have a spinal injury, and great care has to be taken to avoid making these injuries worse.
Broken Bones
Car accidents are incredibly violent events. Your bones, muscles, and organs can be exposed to extreme amounts of force when your car is hit. Modern safety systems such as seat belts, airbags, side bags, crumple zones, and the like can help cushion the impact, but there’s only so much these systems can do to protect you.
It is very common for bones to be fractured or broken during an accident. Arm, hand, skull, leg, and rib bones can all be broken on impact. When such breaks occur, internal organs may also be injured.
In any accident resulting in a broken bone, seek medical treatment right away. If you notice sharp pains in your chest when you breathe, or notice swelling and excessive bruising, that could be a warning sign of a broken or fractured rib.
Soft Tissue Injuries
When it comes to car accidents, one of the most common injuries that victims sustain is soft tissue damage. Soft tissue injuries refer to damage to muscles, tendons, or ligaments resulting from trauma.
While they may not be as severe as broken bones or head injuries, soft tissue injuries can still be debilitating and require significant treatment and recovery time.
Symptoms of soft tissue injuries can vary greatly, but commonly include pain, swelling, stiffness, and restricted range of motion. If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. With proper treatment, many people are able to fully recover from soft tissue injuries and return to their everyday activities.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries resulting from a car accident can be extremely serious, and unfortunately, they are not always immediately apparent. Victims may experience pain, swelling or tenderness in certain areas, but there are other serious injuries that may not produce symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks after a collision.
Internal injuries can occur in various areas of the body, including the abdomen, chest, and head. The severity of these injuries can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the force of impact and the victim’s overall health.
It is critical for accident victims to seek medical attention promptly after an accident, even if they feel okay. Early diagnosis and treatment of internal injuries can prevent complications and even save lives.
Psychological Trauma
One of the less obvious forms of injury that can occur as a result of an accident is psychological trauma.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a possible after-effect of the shock and trauma suffered in an auto accident—particularly if the accident caused severe injury or the loss of a loved one.
This could manifest in many ways. As noted by urgentcarefl.com, “flashbacks, reoccurring dreams, heightened anxiety and development of a temperament or unpredictable mood swings are all possible side effects” of crash-related psychological trauma.
Treatment Options for Psychological Trauma
Getting treatment for psychological trauma is often more difficult than getting treatment for a broken bone or other physical injuries—the scars left by psychological trauma are invisible to most, and you may not even know the cause of the trauma for certain.
Protect Yourself On the Road
We sincerely hope that you never have to deal with an auto accident injury. The shock and pain of these injuries can seem like an unbearable burden—especially considering how such injuries can keep you from being able to work and provide for your family.
As always, it’s important to be alert behind the wheel and use defensive driving to avoid the worst of an accident. However, even the best, most attentive, and well-prepared drivers may not be able to avoid an accident.
If you get injured in an auto accident, be sure to seek medical attention first and foremost. Prompt medical aid can help limit the severity of an injury.
After you’ve been treated, you may want to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you with your injury claim.