Types of Car Accident Injuries

Ryan Bradley | September 14, 2022 | Car Accident

While every St. Louis car accident may happen under different circumstances, they still tend to result in the same types of injuries. 

The nature of those injuries depends on factors such as:

• The types of vehicles involved in the crash
• How fast the vehicles were traveling at the time of impact
• Whether the collision was head-on, rear-end, or something else
• The safety equipment on each vehicle and whether it was working

It can be helpful to know what sort of injuries you can expect following a car wreck in St. Louis. Armed with this knowledge, you can better evaluate your injuries or those of a loved one after a wreck and determine whether you should seek medical help.

Injuries Commonly Encountered in St. Louis Car Wrecks

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there have been more than 8,200 car accidents reported in St. Louis since the beginning of 2022. Nationwide statistics maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that in 2020, approximately 2,282,105 individuals were injured in 5,215,071 non-fatal wrecks.

Using these national statistics as a rough guide, one could reasonably expect that approximately 40-50% of all car wrecks will result in some injury to one or more people involved. Therefore, if you’re involved in a car crash, there’s a plausible chance that it could result in an injury to you or someone you love.

The injuries you or your loved one sustains may include:

Cuts and Abrasions

In a car wreck involving sufficient force, the windshield or windows may shatter and send glass flying throughout the interior of the car. The flying glass may result in cuts and scratches to exposed skin. You may also suffer abrasions and other blunt force trauma from hitting the steering wheel or from your seat belt.

Broken Bones

Your arms and legs are especially at risk of breaking in a forceful car crash. If your legs become caught underneath your dashboard and the front end of the car is crushed, your legs may be crushed as well. A forceful slam against a door or console can fracture a rib or break an arm bone. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Car accidents that occur even at a relatively low speed may result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If your car is not equipped with airbags, or if the airbag does not deploy, you may hit your head on the steering wheel. The impact could cause blunt force trauma to your head and may lead to a concussion.

You may also suffer a traumatic brain injury from a whiplash-type movement. This is especially likely to happen when the crash occurs at a high speed, and you’re wearing your seat belt or an airbag deploys. The rapid movement of your head back and forth can jostle your brain and injure it.

Burn Injuries

Car crashes — especially rollover accidents — can cause fuel and other combustible substances to leak and spill. If these substances ignite, you or your loved one may suffer burn injuries. 

Burn injuries can be painful and may require antibiotics to prevent infection. You might also need skin grafts to help with healing and the appearance of the burn site in the future.

What To Do If You Are Injured in a Car Accident in St. Louis, MO

If you or a loved one is injured in a St. Louis car wreck, you should immediately call for emergency medical assistance. At the very least, proceed to your local emergency room or doctor’s office for evaluation. While not every car crash will result in injuries, the injuries that can result deserve prompt attention.

Contact Our Car Accidents Law Firm For Help Today

For more information, please contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free case evaluation today.

St. Louis Office
1430 Washington Ave Suite #226 St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 400-0000

Kansas City Office
1509 NE Parvin Rd, Suite A., Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 408-3448

Or if you would prefer to reach out to us online, please visit our contact us page.