Common Car Accident Injuries in Chicago

Car accident injuries can lead to long-term and life-threatening consequences that may not be immediately noticeable, making it essential for victims to seek prompt medical attention. In some cases, health complications may worsen over time or lead to long-term pain, disability, and even death.

Victims of car accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Chicago motor vehicle accident lawyers protect victims’ rights and help them navigate the claims process to recover financial damages for their healthcare needs.

Impact vs. Penetrating Injuries

Auto accidents often result in two main types of injuries:

• Impact injuries are caused by the body striking parts of the vehicle.
• Penetrating injuries result from sharp objects like glass or debris.

Both can lead to serious complications and may require immediate and long-term medical care.

Common Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

Here are some of the most common injuries from motor vehicle crashes:

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash injuries occur when the neck is rapidly jerked forward and backward during a car crash, damaging the soft tissue. Even low-speed accidents cause soft tissue injuries, which may result in neck pain, headaches, and muscle stiffness. In more severe cases, whiplash can lead to herniated discs and cervical dislocation, requiring long-term medical care.

Wrist and Hand Injuries

In a car accident, hands and wrists are vulnerable to fractures and sprains, especially if the driver braces themselves during impact. Distal radius fractures (wrist fractures) are common and can have a major impact on daily activities. These fractures often require surgery and long-term physical therapy to regain function.

Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, Strains, and Muscle Damage

Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and muscle tears, are among the most typical car accident injuries. These afflictions can be difficult to prove in insurance claims, but can cause lasting pain and discomfort. Soft tissue damage is usually treated with physical therapy, but recovery can take time, and victims may experience chronic pain even after healing.

Shoulder and Upper Body Injuries

The shoulder and upper body absorb much of the impact during a car crash, leading to injuries such as torn ligaments, dislocations, and fractures. These ailments typically occur when a driver braces themselves against the steering wheel or is impacted by the seatbelt.

Shoulder injuries may require surgical correction, followed by months of physical therapy to regain mobility and strength.

Knee Injuries from Dashboard Impact

Knee injuries from car crashes often result from impact with the dashboard, causing ACL and MCL tears or fractured kneecaps. Victims may experience severely limited mobility and frequently require surgery, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation.

Foot, Ankle, and Lower Limb Injuries

Foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries are common in crashes, especially for pedestrians and motorcyclists. They can include fractures, torn ligaments, or even amputations. These conditions often require surgery and long-term rehab and can lead to lasting mobility issues.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are common in car accidents and range in severity. Fractures to the legs, arms, ribs, wrists, ankles, and pelvis may heal quickly or may require surgery and rehab. Complex or multiple fractures can cause lasting pain, disability, and ongoing care or physical therapy.

Lacerations, Bruises, and Road Rash

Lacerations and bruises are common injuries from broken glass, debris, and torn metal in a car accident. Road rash is particularly prevalent in motorcycle or pedestrian accidents, where the victim’s body slides across the road surface after a crash.

If not treated properly, the injured person can experience extreme pain and be prone to infection. Road rash can also result in scarring, which may require plastic surgery to fix the appearance and function of the skin.

Life-Changing, Serious Injuries

Car accidents can lead to severe bodily harm and are a leading cause of death in the United States. Here are some other severe injuries car accidents can cause:

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most critical and life-altering car accident injuries. A crash can cause partial or total paralysis, leading to a lifetime of medical care, rehabilitation, and potential home care.

Spinal damage can result in permanent disability and require significant compensation to cover the long-term medical care and emotional distress associated with paralysis.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from blows or jolts that damage brain tissue. These head injuries can cause memory loss, dizziness, mood changes, and long-term cognitive issues. Intense TBIs often require ongoing care and therapy, with lasting effects on quality of life.

Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, are grave and life-threatening consequences of car accidents. The force of a crash can cause internal trauma that is not always visible, which is why it is essential to seek immediate emergency medical treatment.

Without swift intervention and surgery, victims may not be able to stop the bleeding and prevent organ failure. Internal damage, if untreated, can lead to debilitating complications and, in some cases, death.

Limb Loss and Amputation

In severe car accidents, limbs may be severed or damaged beyond repair, resulting in amputations. Amputation causes lifelong disability and often requires expensive prosthetics and long-term medical treatment.

It can also affect the person’s ability to work, reducing their earning capacity and causing emotional distress. Limb loss in car accidents often results in high-value settlements due to the lasting impact on the victim’s life.

Crush Injuries and Permanent Damage

Crush injuries are another serious consequence of car accidents. These injuries occur when body parts are trapped under extreme force, leading to severe damage to muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

In many cases, crush damage results in amputations, internal bleeding, and nerve damage, which can impact the victim’s ability to perform daily tasks forever. The severity of these can result in a permanent disability requiring long-term care and assistance.

Long-Term Injuries and Consequences

Other injuries from car collisions can have prolonged and even life-long effects, including mental health struggles. Here are some long-term consequences of automobile accidents:

Back Injuries and Chronic Pain

Back injuries are some of the most common and serious injuries resulting from car accidents. The spine is not designed to withstand the intense forces experienced during a crash, and back injuries can often cause chronic pain and long-term mobility issues.

Most injuries are typically not immediately apparent, and many victims may not feel the full extent of their injuries right away.

Common back impairments include herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and nerve damage, all of which can cause intense pain, limited mobility, and a significant decrease in quality of life. It is crucial for victims to seek medical treatment immediately to diagnose and address any potential spinal damage to prevent further complications.

Burns

Burns can occur in car accidents due to various factors, such as vehicle fires, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces, fluids, or chemicals. Severe burns are a leading cause of disfigurement and require skin grafting, extensive surgery, and prolonged rehabilitation. The emotional toll of permanent scarring can also affect the victim’s quality of life.

Legal claims for burn injuries involve seeking compensation for the medical attention required, emotional distress damages, and other costs related to the accident, such as lost wages and reduced earning capacity.

Disfiguring Facial Injuries and Scars

Facial injuries, especially those involving broken glass impact with the steering wheel, airbags, or dashboards, are frequent in car accidents. This type of damage can result in deep cuts, fractures, and even traumatic disfigurement. The emotional and psychological toll of permanent facial scars can be significant, leading to self-esteem issues and social withdrawal.

Victims may require plastic surgery and ongoing medical treatments to improve the appearance and function of their faces. In some cases, emotional distress damages may also be part of the legal claim to compensate for the trauma caused by the disfigurement.

Psychological Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Car accidents can cause other injuries besides physical ones, like psychological trauma. Many victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression after the event.

Symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme fear of driving. These emotional wounds can last long after the physical harm has healed and should be considered when calculating compensation in a car accident case.

Seeking Compensation for Car Accident-Related Medical Treatment

Most bodily harm from car accidents is too much for the human body to handle, forcing victims to pay for and seek treatment.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek legal representation to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced car accident lawyer will help guide you through the legal process and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Expert Legal Counsel in Chicago!

Car accidents can leave victims with life-altering afflictions, so it’s essential to have a Chicago personal injury lawyer on your side to protect your rights. Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our form for a free consultation and to discuss your legal options regarding compensation for your car accident injuries.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.