Motor vehicle crashes involve sudden, intense force due to a collision. Car accidents are all too common; CDC statistics show that over 100 Americans die from car accidents daily. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the total costs for car accidents in 2019 reached $340 billion.
Car accident injuries come in many varieties, each with unique symptoms. Below are a few of the most common and painful injuries you may be experiencing.
Bone Fractures
Sudden impacts may fracture or break bones. Bones may be sturdy, but they are prone to damage from blunt trauma. Facet joints located in your spine are especially vulnerable.
Facet joints ensure your spine’s stability and proper alignment. They slightly protrude from your spinal column. A car accident can damage or break these joints or other bones in your back.
Bone fractures elsewhere in the body may affect your spinal health. Wherever the affected area, bone fractures cause intense pain and often aggravate other health problems.
Whiplash
Patients with car accident injuries often report shoulder, back, and neck pain. This discomfort stems from sudden movements, such as those resulting from an abrupt stop or violent crash, which cause the head to move suddenly and improperly. These soft tissue injuries are known as whiplash.
Whiplash is among the most common car accident injuries; according to a study conducted by Maastricht University researchers, it’s more than likely that 1.2 million Americans experience whiplash per year. This painful condition may last for extended periods, even well after the accident itself. Inflammation and pain in the neck associated with whiplash are typically due to torn and strained muscles and ligaments and may indicate other health issues in the spine and back.
Damaged Muscles and Nerves
Numerous body parts — especially the neck, shoulders, and upper back — rely on an extensive network of muscles and nerves. These muscles and nerves typically work well. Car accidents, tearing and damaging them, can cause severe pain and discomfort that inhibit their proper functioning.
Nerve damage causes severe, searing pain. Patients who fail to seek medical care for nerve damage may develop chronic pain.
Intervertebral Disc Damage
Your spine features small cushions known as intervertebral discs. Located between spinal bones, they provide an increased range of motion and flexibility. Car accidents often rupture or damage discs and may push them out of place.
Damaged discs cause severe discomfort. They may leak fluid, which harms your nerves. Without proper treatment, disc damage causes chronic complications, including severe pain, nerve damage, and arthritis.