Road traffic injuries that are a result of car and truck collisions number in the millions across America annually. While statistics place the average number of roadway deaths at around 50,000 annually and in a recent year the number of major and minor injuries numbered nearly 3 million. This would include broken bones, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, burns, loss of limbs and other bodily parts, and even cuts, bruises, minor aches and pains, whiplash and residual emotional and psychological trauma.
Let us consider the statistics of the most common vehicle collision injuries more closely. Often the facial and head area is the first area to sustain injuries as they are directly in the ‘line of fire’. Victims may suffer facial and scalp lacerations, bruises or even fractures – such as to the jaw. In addition, those involved in auto accidents may require dental work as well. Injuries to the brain include everything from concussions to closed head injury. The worst of these is a traumatic brain injury that may forever alter a person’s way of life. Brain injuries are often accompanied by negative long term effects.
The neck and shoulders are also very vulnerable to minor to severe damage. The most common of these are sprains and strains. Whiplash and fractures are also regular results of severe auto accidents. Shoulders may also be dislocated from collisions both minor and severe depending on the direction of the impact. Back and spinal injuries are some of the more dangerous concerns because of the possibility of partial or full paralysis. All extremities have the possibility of simple or compound fractures as well as clean breaks in which the bone may or may not protrude through the skin.
Finally, automobile accidents have great potential to cause internal injuries as well as long term psychological repercussions. None are pleasant – drive defensively.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston auto accident lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner Law Firm.
