According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were over 367,000 car accidents across the state in 2024. Out of this total, nearly 144,000 drivers and/or passengers suffered catastrophic injuries.
When motor vehicles collide, your body absorbs tremendous force. Depending on the speed at which the cars were traveling and where the impact occurred, you could suffer anything from minor bruises to severe trauma like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. In this guide, we’ll highlight 10 common car accident injuries and why prompt medical treatment is so important.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in rear-end crashes. This soft tissue injury occurs when the head and neck are jerked forward and backward, causing the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stretch beyond their normal range of motion. The sudden movement can damage these soft tissues and create inflammation that leads to physical pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Symptoms of whiplash injuries don't always appear immediately after an accident, which can complicate both medical evaluation and insurance claims. But once they set in, you may experience neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, and fatigue that can persist for weeks or even months. Some people also report difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and sleep disturbances that can affect your ability to work and perform daily activities.
Head and Brain Trauma
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from damage to the brain due to a forceful impact or a sudden, violent shaking of the head. In car accidents, these physical injuries can happen when your head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, window, or other parts of the vehicle. Even when your head doesn't make direct contact with an object, the sudden acceleration and deceleration forces can cause the brain to bounce around inside the skull.
Mild traumatic brain injuries, commonly called concussions, may cause temporary confusion, blurred vision, headaches, and nausea. More severe head injuries can result in extended periods of unconsciousness, persistent cognitive problems, personality changes, and physical disabilities. You may struggle with concentration, memory formation, emotional regulation, and basic motor functions that were previously automatic.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine consists of vertebrae, discs, and nerves that can all be injured in an auto accident. One common but severe injury is herniated discs, which happen when the soft material inside a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the outer layer and presses on nearby nerves. This condition can cause severe pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms or legs, depending on which part of the spine is affected.
Spinal injuries are some of the most serious consequences of car accidents. When the spinal cord is damaged, you may experience partial or complete paralysis below the point of injury. Cervical spinal cord injuries affecting the neck area can even result in quadriplegia, while injuries to the lower back may cause paraplegia affecting the legs and lower body.
Broken Bones and Complex Fractures
Automobile accidents often result in broken and fractured bones; arms and legs are particularly vulnerable as occupants brace for impact or are thrown around inside the vehicle. Ribs can break from seatbelt pressure or steering wheel contact, while facial bones may fracture if the head strikes the dashboard or airbag deploys with excessive force.
Compound fractures (where the bone breaks through the skin) create a risk of infection, so they usually require surgical intervention. While simple fractures may heal with casting or splinting, complex breaks often need surgical repair with metal plates, screws, or rods. The healing time for broken bones varies depending on the location and severity of the fracture, the patient's age, and their overall health.
Internal Organ Damage
The force of impact can damage internal organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs, and lead to internal bleeding. This bleeding may occur gradually, causing you to develop symptoms like dizziness, weakness, abdominal or chest pain, or shortness of breath hours or days after the accident.
Other internal injuries include:
- Chest Injuries: Chest injuries can happen when the body strikes the steering wheel or the seatbelt applies pressure during impact. Broken ribs can puncture the lungs, causing a collapsed lung, while heart injuries, though less common, may lead to irregular heartbeat or cardiac complications.
- Abdominal Injuries: Abdominal injuries may involve damage to the liver, spleen, intestines, or other organs within the abdominal cavity. These motor vehicle accident injuries often require emergency surgery to repair damaged organs and stop internal bleeding.
Cuts and Lacerations
Broken glass from windows and windshields can cause deep cuts that need stitches or plastic surgery to heal properly. Metal fragments from damaged vehicles can also create lacerations that damage nerves, blood vessels, or tendons. Facial cuts are particularly concerning as they can result in permanent scarring that affects your appearance and self-confidence.
These wounds can range from minor scratches to deep gashes that require medical attention. If you sustain cuts during an accident, wound care is important to prevent infection and minimize scarring. Some lacerations may damage underlying structures and require surgical repair to restore function.
Burns
Burns can occur if fuel leaks and ignites, if hot fluids from the engine come into contact with your skin, or if airbags deploy improperly. Chemical burns may also result if you’re exposed to battery acid or other automotive fluids. Even minor burns can be painful and may require skin grafts or other surgical procedures to minimize scarring.
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin and may heal on their own with care. Second and third-degree burns penetrate deeper layers of skin and often require medical treatment, including debridement, skin grafts, and burn care. You may face a recovery period with multiple surgeries and physical therapy to regain function and mobility.
Knee and Leg Injuries
Your knees and legs are vulnerable to injury when they strike the dashboard or your body is thrown forward during impact. Fractured kneecaps, torn ligaments, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tears are common in car accidents and often require reconstruction surgery. The femur, tibia, and fibula bones can also be broken during a high-impact collision, requiring months of physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the affected leg.
Knee injuries can be problematic because the joint bears your body weight and is involved in nearly every movement. You may experience ongoing pain, stiffness, and instability that limits your ability to walk, climb stairs, or participate in physical activities. These auto accident injuries can lead to early onset arthritis that causes chronic pain and disability.
Shoulder and Arm Injuries
Shoulder injuries commonly occur when you brace for impact or the seatbelt applies sudden pressure across your chest and shoulder area. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint that can be dislocated, and the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be torn or strained. Rotator cuff tears are especially common and may require surgical repair.
Similarly, arm fractures can occur in the upper arm (humerus), forearm bones (radius and ulna), or wrist area. These injuries usually happen when you instinctively put your arms out to brace for impact or when your arm strikes parts of the vehicle interior. Compound fractures that break through the skin create risks of infection and nerve damage.
Psychological and Emotional Trauma
Car accidents can cause lasting psychological injuries that are just as debilitating as physical ones. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is especially common among accident victims and can cause flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and avoidance of driving or riding in vehicles. You may develop an irrational fear of cars, intersections, or specific driving situations that were involved in your accident.
Depression and anxiety often accompany the physical recovery from car accident injuries. Chronic pain, disability, and lifestyle changes can affect your mental health and overall quality of life. You may struggle with feelings of helplessness, anger, or grief over the loss of your pre-accident capabilities and independence.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia
After a car accident in Georgia, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights. Many people feel overwhelmed after a vehicle crash and aren't sure what to do first. Following a clear action plan helps ensure you receive proper medical care and preserve your ability to seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Here are the important steps to take after a car accident:
- Get medical attention immediately. Visit a doctor or seek emergency care even if you feel fine at the scene. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain and symptoms, and some injuries don't become apparent until hours or days later.
- Document everything thoroughly. Take photographs of visible injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene. Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation related to the accident and resulting injuries, as they support your claim for financial compensation.
- Follow all medical advice. Attend all appointments, complete prescribed treatments, and follow your doctor's recommendations for care and follow-up visits. Gaps in treatment can hurt your case, as insurance companies may claim you weren’t as hurt as you alleged.
- Keep detailed records. Track your symptoms, pain levels, and how injuries affect your daily activities. Save receipts for all accident-related expenses, including medical bills, prescriptions, and transportation costs, as insurance adjusters will want to see them.
- Contact an experienced Georgia car accident attorney. If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, consult with a personal injury lawyer who can help you seek maximum compensation. Most experienced attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything if they don’t secure fair compensation for you.
Injured in a Car Accident? Speak to a Georgia Car Accident Attorney Today
At The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., we know the intense toll that car accidents take on victims and their families. Our experienced Georgia personal injury attorneys have recovered over $100 million for clients across the state; we know how to investigate accidents, gather evidence, and build strong cases that get results. From minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions, we handle all types of car accident claims with the same dedication and attention to detail.
Don't let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer. We'll review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand your options for moving forward. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win your case, so call us today.
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