What Happens to Your Body After a Bad Car Accident?

Any type of car accident, no matter how small, can result in injuries to your body. These can range from minor aches and pains to permanent disabilities or life changing injuries. Unfortunately, car accidents are a frequent occurrence on America’s roadways, with over 6.5 million cars involved in an accident every year. 

Every time you get into a car, whether as a passenger or behind the wheel, there is a chance that an accident can occur, so it’s important to understand what happens to your body after a bad car accident. If you aren’t sure whether your injuries qualify you to receive a settlement, your best bet is to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your options before taking a lowball settlement from an insurance company. 

bad parking job” by Andrew Huff is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

 

What Types of Injuries Can Happen to Your Body During a Car Accident?

Occupants of a car and the vehicle itself have what is called kinetic energy when in motion on the road. When that kinetic energy is abruptly stopped due to a collision, it has to go somewhere. This means your body will unfortunately absorb at least some of the kinetic energy, leading to the risk of injury. 

Depending on the speed you and the other vehicle were traveling at and the angle at which you were hit, different parts of your body may be Injured from a car accident. While whiplash is a common injury that most people think about in relation to car accidents, there are many other parts of your body that can be injured during a bad car accident. 

 

Whiplash From a Bad Car Accident

Let’s start with the most common injury associated with car accidents: whiplash. This typically shows up after a rear-end collision, as your neck gets thrown backwards from the impact before whipping forward. The muscles and tendons become stretched during this quick motion, and major damage can be done to the neck, back and spine as a result. 

 

Head Injury After a Bad Car Accident

When the vehicle you are in stops abruptly, your body will continue moving forward at the same speed it was going before impact. This only stops when your body comes into contact with something such as your seatbelt, an airbag, or windshield. This means your head can easily be flung at high speeds into something hard like the dashboard of your car, leading to head injuries like a traumatic brain injury (TBI)

RLM070” by The Internal Struggle is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

 

Broken Bones and Injured Limbs

Your arms and legs may also suffer injuries such as:

after colliding with an object at high speeds. 

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) After a Bad Car Accident

Your emotional and mental health are vital to maintaining a good quality of life, so it’s important not to forget the devastating toll a bad car accident can have on a victim’s mental health. Any traumatic event like a car accident will cause the brain to release endorphins and adrenaline at the time of the accident to help your mind handle the crash. This is why many victims often seem unusually calm after a bad car accident.

However, once the endorphins and adrenaline wear off, victims are often left with issues such as anxiety or even PTSD as a result of their car accident. Especially if a victim suffered a significant amount of pain or loss, car accident PTSD is a very real and devastating outcome for survivors of a bad car accident. 

 

When Should I Contact a Car Accident Attorney?

No matter what type of injuries you suffered as a result of your car accident, it is always in your best interest to contact an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney after your accident. At Thistle Law, we can help you calculate the damages you are entitled to, ensuring that nothing gets left out of your settlement.

The long term physical and emotional effects of a car accident may not be immediately apparent in the aftermath of a bad car accident, and the financial burden you may be forced to deal with may not become clear until months or even years later. Contact our office today for a free consultation to determine if we can help with your case. We can be reached at (215) 525-6824 or via our contact form.

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