Car accidents are a leading cause of death and personal injuries. Injuries can vary greatly in severity depending on the crash, but they could involve broken bones, brain injuries, or burns that are life-limiting or fatal. When injured in Cedar Rapids in car accidents, you have to understand that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries both financially and emotionally. 

Understanding the common injuries may help you obtain the medical treatment, care, and support that you need. The following is a list of injuries reported in car accidents involving one or more crash victims.

  • Traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability after a car accident. Brain injuries cause confusion, memory loss, personality change, sleep disorders, and depression. Some TBIs cannot be identified at the time of a crash because no injury is visible. Each person with TBI will experience symptoms differently. 

  • Spinal cord injuries

The spinal cord is the superhighway of information for your body. It connects your brain with your nervous system. During a car crash, your neck and back may be forced violently against the car seat or steering wheel, and this can damage or even sever the connecting nerves. The results of a spinal cord injury can range from minor discomfort to paralysis and death.

  • Fractures

A car crash can cause the bones in your body to break. Fractures can be caused by sudden stops or quick jerks, for example, when someone turns without signaling. This accident is a common cause of low back pain and knee pain. The injury may require you to be immobilized for several weeks, months, or even years after the wreck. 

  • Whiplashes

A common and major injury in car accidents is whiplash. When your body moves suddenly forward and then backward, the muscles and tendons in your neck may stretch beyond their ability to spring back into place. This can cause nerve damage, pain, and muscle spasm that can leave you unable to work, attend school, or engage in social activities.

  • Burns

Burns are another common injury caused by a car accident. A fluid leak or fire can cause third-degree burns that damage the skin and may also damage underlying tissue. There are two types of burns, contact burns and flash burns. Contact burn occurs when your skin comes into contact with hot engines, burning wires, or plastic material inside the vehicle and a flash burn happens when the liquid inside a canister is ignited in an intense fire.