National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration released a study in 2015 identifying the critical reasons for car accidents. The study found that Ninety-Four (94%) of car accidents are caused by driver error, the other causes included vehicle malfunction, Two (2%), environmental, Two (2%), and other unknown critical reasons, Two (2%). The study provided further data including the critical reasons attributable to driver error:
The critical reasons attributable to vehicle malfunctions:
The critical reasons attributable to environmental causes:
As you can see, driver inattention, driver decision errors, vehicle tires, vehicle brakes, slick roads, glare, and road obstructions top the list for critical reasons for car accidents.
Based on this data, the likelihood of causing a car accident significantly increase if you are not well rested or are intoxicated, have tires that need to be replaced, and you will be driving in the rain. If these circumstances exist, then drivers and passengers may experience one of the most common car accident injuries listed below.
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries Include:
- Spinal cord injuries – Almost 50% of spinal cord injuries result from car accidents, according to the Mayo Clinic. The impact caused by a car accident can injure the spinal cord nerves which affects the brain’s ability to communicate directions to the rest of the body. Car accidents commonly cause herniated discs, meaning damage to the “cushion” between the vertebrae in the spine resulting in pain and numbness. Another common injury caused by car accidents is compression fractures, meaning small cracks in the bones of the spine resulting in pain, breathing difficulties and possible vertebrae collapse and deformation. Damage to the spinal cord can cause loss of motion, loss of feeling and paralysis in the areas below the injury. Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete, with complete injuries resulting in total loss of feeling and function below the injury site. Both paraplegia and quadriplegia (tetraplegia) may result from spinal cord injuries.
- Traumatic brain injury – Vehicle collisions are one of the common trauma-related causes of short-term and long-term brain injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. Head injuries can range from a mild concussion to severe and lasting brain damage. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) include loss of consciousness, numbness, nausea, mood and personality changes, seizures, loss of cognitive function including executive functioning, psychological injuries, communication problems, behavior changes, emotional changes, and sensory problems, and many more disabling conditions. If, after an accident you experience these side effects then seek medical attention immediately.
- Neck and back injuries – Whiplash is the most common type of neck injury from car accidents according to Healthline. It occurs when the neck is thrown forward and then jerked backward sharply in a motion similar to the cracking of a whip. Victims may also suffer other injuries to the neck and back, including sprains, strains, torn ligaments, slipped discs and broken vertebrae. Neck and back injuries can cause persistent pain and loss of mobility. Your symptoms may not appear until a few days after your accident.
- Broken bones – While the bones in the body can break in a car wreck, people are especially at risk of breaking an arm, a leg, the pelvis, ribs and facial bones.
- Punctured lungs – Broken ribs resulting from an auto accident may puncture the lungs, which affects the ability to breathe and is a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Organ damage and other internal injuries – When a car accident victim experiences internal injuries resulting from the force or impact of a car wreck, it may not be immediately apparent how badly the person has been hurt. Without prompt medical treatment, internal bleeding and other internal damage to the organs can create a life-threatening medical emergency that may cause death.
- Burns – Roughly 152,300 vehicle fires occur each year with 17 occurring each hour, causing an average of 764 injuries and 209 fatalities killing 4 people per week, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Burns can be very painful and may result in permanent disfigurement. Expensive treatments, including skin grafting and plastic surgery, are frequently necessary. Infection is a major concern with severe burns.
- Amputations – Victims can lose a limb from being thrown from the vehicle, being hit with flying debris or from crushing injuries in auto accidents. When someone loses a limb, the cost of treatment can be very expensive, as the patient may need multiple prostheses over the course of a lifetime and may require ongoing physical therapy and treatment for pain.
For a free legal consultation with a common car accident injuries lawyer serving McKinney, call (972) 535-6377
Have Car Accident Injuries? Call an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today
At the Underwood Law Office, our car accident attorneys understand how devastating it is when a car accident causes serious personal injuries. We also know how important it is to make sure your medical bills, lost wages and other damages are covered.
Let us put our legal experience to work to help you get the money you deserve for your car accident injuries. Our attorneys want to help you recover the maximum compensation available under the law from insurance companies.
Our McKinney, Texas law firm serves all of Dallas and Fort Worth, including Plano, Frisco, Allen and McKinney. Our Huntington, West Virginia law firm serves all of West Virginia.
For both offices, call our toll-free number 844.UNDERWOOD (844.863.3796) or fill out our online form. We’ll schedule a confidential, free consultation to talk about your case and advise you about your legal rights. You pay no fee unless we win.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic – Spinal cord injury
- Mayo Clinic – Traumatic brain injury
- National Fire Protection Association – Vehicle Fires
- Healthline – Whiplash
- Disabled World – Back Injuries from Car Accidents
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