Partner at AKD Lawyers
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Some crash injuries are obvious at the scene. Others take hours or days to cause pain. A person may walk away feeling shaken but otherwise fine, then develop neck stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or back pain the next morning.
The type and seriousness of an injury depend on many details, including the speed of the vehicles, the direction of impact, seat position, and whether seat belts and airbags worked properly. Even a low-speed crash can leave someone needing medical care.
If you were hurt in a collision, see a doctor and follow the treatment plan you receive. A New Orleans vehicle collision lawyer can address the insurance claim, while this guide explains the medical issues that often follow a crash.
Why Can a Crash Cause So Many Different Injuries?
A vehicle may stop suddenly during a collision, but the people inside it continue moving until a seat belt, airbag, dashboard, door, or another surface stops them.
That sudden movement can stretch muscles, damage joints, break bones, or cause the brain to move inside the skull. Side-impact crashes may throw the body sideways, while rear-end collisions often force the head and neck back and forth.
Seat belts cannot prevent every injury, but they greatly reduce the risk of serious harm. NHTSA reports that lap-and-shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger-car occupants by about 45% and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by about 50%.
What Injuries Are Common After a Car Accident?
Every collision is different, but the following injuries appear often in accident-related medical records.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries affect the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They commonly occur in the neck, shoulders, and back.
Whiplash is one example. It happens when the neck moves sharply forward and backward, stretching the surrounding tissue beyond its normal range. Symptoms may include:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Shoulder or upper-back pain
- Headaches
- Reduced neck movement
- Dizziness
Whiplash pain may not begin immediately. It can appear hours or days after the accident, which is one reason people should not ignore new symptoms simply because they felt fine at the scene.
Head and Brain Injuries
A person does not have to strike their head to suffer a concussion. The force of the collision can cause the brain to move inside the skull.
Possible signs include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty concentrating. Some symptoms begin right away, while others may not appear for several hours or days.
Call 911 or seek emergency care for warning signs such as:
- A headache that keeps getting worse
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness
- Increasing confusion
- Trouble waking up
- Loss of consciousness
A doctor will decide whether a CT scan, MRI, or other testing is needed. Imaging is not required for every concussion and may appear normal even when a concussion is present.
Chest and Abdominal Injuries
The chest may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or seat belt during a crash. This can cause bruising, rib fractures, or damage to the lungs and other organs.
Abdominal injuries can be harder to spot because there may be no visible wound. Internal bleeding or organ damage may first appear as increasing pain, swelling, dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
Shortness of breath, severe chest pain, worsening abdominal pain, or blood in the urine requires prompt medical attention.
Arm and Leg Injuries
Arms and legs may hit the dashboard, door, seat, or another part of the vehicle. Drivers may also injure their hands and wrists while gripping the steering wheel during impact.
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Deep bruises
- Sprains and strains
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Nerve damage
- Cuts from broken glass
Side-impact crashes can be especially hard on the arm, hip, knee, and leg closest to the door. Early treatment may help reduce stiffness and protect movement.
Back and Spinal Injuries
Back injuries range from muscle strains to herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage.
Symptoms may include lower back pain, shooting pain into the arms or legs, numbness, tingling, weakness, or difficulty walking. Acute back pain often improves within several weeks, but nerve or spinal injuries may take much longer and require ongoing care.
Doctors may order an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI when symptoms and the examination suggest imaging is needed. Seek urgent care for new weakness, loss of sensation, trouble walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Which Injuries May Be Delayed?
Adrenaline and shock can make pain less noticeable immediately after a crash. Swelling and inflammation may also take time to develop.
Watch for symptoms such as:
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Dizziness, confusion, or nausea
- Neck or back pain that begins later
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Numbness or tingling
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- New weakness or limited movement
Do not assume a delayed symptom is harmless. Contact a medical provider and explain that you were recently involved in a collision.
Why Does a Prompt Medical Examination Matter?
Medical care after a crash has two purposes. The first is to identify injuries and begin treatment. The second is to create a clear record of your symptoms, diagnosis, and care.
A doctor may perform a physical examination and order testing when needed. The right tests depend on the body part involved, the symptoms, and the seriousness of the collision.
Waiting too long can allow an untreated injury to get worse. It can also make an insurance claim harder because the insurer may question whether the crash caused the symptoms.
Follow all medical instructions, attend scheduled appointments, and tell the provider if your condition changes.
Can Some Crash Injuries Be Prevented?
Not every injury can be avoided, but a few steps can reduce the risk:
- Wear a seat belt on every trip.
- Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
- Keep children in the correct car seat or booster.
- Adjust the headrest so it supports the back of the head.
- Sit at a safe distance from the steering wheel and airbag.
- Repair warning lights or problems involving airbags and seat belts.
Airbags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.
How Long Does Recovery Usually Take?
Recovery depends on the diagnosis, age, general health, and treatment. The ranges below are only general examples.
| Injury | Common Symptoms | General Recovery Pattern | Treatment Notes |
| Whiplash or soft-tissue injury | Neck stiffness, soreness, headaches | Days to several weeks, sometimes longer | Medication, exercises, or physical therapy may help |
| Concussion | Headache, dizziness, confusion | Often days to weeks, but symptoms may last longer | Follow medical guidance and return to activity gradually |
| Chest or rib injury | Bruising, pain when breathing | Often several weeks | Breathing trouble needs urgent care |
| Arm or leg fracture | Swelling, pain, limited movement | Often six weeks or longer | Casting, therapy, or surgery may be needed |
| Back or spinal injury | Pain, tingling, numbness, weakness | Varies widely | Treatment depends on the tissue and nerves involved |
Most people with a mild concussion return to many normal activities within days or weeks, although some continue to have symptoms for months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common car accident injuries?
Common injuries include whiplash, muscle strains, concussions, back injuries, chest trauma, broken bones, cuts, and injuries to the arms, legs, and joints.
How soon should I see a doctor after a crash?
Seek care as soon as possible if you are hurt or develop symptoms. Severe pain, confusion, breathing trouble, weakness, or loss of consciousness requires emergency attention.
Can a minor crash cause a serious injury?
Yes. A low-speed impact can still cause whiplash, concussion, back pain, or another injury, depending on how the body moved during the collision.
What delayed symptoms should I watch for?
Watch for headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, abdominal pain, neck stiffness, back pain, numbness, weakness, or symptoms that become worse over time.
How long does recovery take?
Minor bruises and strains may improve within days or weeks. Fractures, concussions, nerve injuries, and spinal damage may require several weeks or months of care.
Talk to a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
Medical care should come first after a crash. Once your immediate health needs are addressed, keep copies of your medical records, bills, prescriptions, and work restrictions.
Alvendia, Kelly & Demarest can explain your rights if another driver caused your injuries. Call (504) 200-0000 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless the firm wins your case.
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In 2003, after being dissatisfied with the quality of legal care for victims of car accidents, Roderick ‘Rico’ Alvendia sought to establish a new firm focused on providing high-quality legal services to aid injured victims and their families. J. Bart Kelly, sharing Rico’s passion for upholding justice, joined the firm later that year, and established a partnership.
