Nearly all car accidents that happen in New Jersey result in some bodily injury. Even a minor fender-bender can have a physical and emotional impact on the vehicle occupants. Following is some information about the most common types of injuries experienced by victims of minor and major car crashes.
1. Whiplash
Whiplash is a very common injury that can happen during a sudden impact, like a car crash. When your head moves quickly forward and back, your neck’s muscles and ligaments become strained. Pain and tightness in the neck and upper back from whiplash may not appear until a few days after an accident.
2. Broken bones
Bones can be broken during a car crash in many ways. If your body hits hard objects in the vehicle, or your arm gets stuck, this may place your bones under more pressure than they can withstand. While seat belts can be lifesaving in motor vehicle accidents, they can sometimes tighten so quickly that they fracture ribs.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can range from minor concussions that clear up in a couple of weeks to severe brain injuries with life-altering consequences. TBIs occur when the brain hits the side of the skull during an impact or blow to the head. These injuries can cause a range of different changes to brain functioning.
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder
Also known as PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological injury that can have a huge impact on a person’s enjoyment of life after a car accident. Whether their accidents were minor or severe, the shock of the event will inevitably cause victims to ruminate over what happened, or could have happened, during the accident. These thoughts can make driving or traveling in cars emotionally difficult for a long time.
Victims’ injuries may be compensable
A car accident victim may be able to pursue financial compensation for his or her physical and psychological injuries. In some cases, car accident victims can claim financial damages from loss of future employment due to life-altering injuries.