Auto Accidents: Common Injuries and Their Causes

Although alternative modes of transportation such as ridesharing, public transit, and city bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years, personal driving is still the chief way in which we as Americans get around town. In 2016 alone, it is estimated that US motorists took over 150 billion driving trips, which equated to over 2 trillion miles traveled. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that car accidents are consistently among the leading causes of injury in the country.

There are over 6 million accidents a year in the US, on average. Based on these staggering figures, it should go without saying that crashes are both commonplace and hazardous. They are responsible for a bevvy of injuries, but some occur more frequently than others. So, let’s take a closer at some of the most common ailments and their causes. 

Common Injuries That Arise from Car Crashes

Each case is different, but in the field of personal injury, we do tend to see some conditions more often, such as: 

• Injuries to the Extremities: Due to the fact that your limbs are somewhat compressed in a driving position, any crash impact is likely to press you against one side or the other. Leg and arm injuries may vary from scrapes and bruises all the way up to broken bones, or worse. 
• Whiplash: Whiplash is one of the most common outcomes for those who have been rear-ended. Whenever you experience a sharp jerk of the head, you increase the likelihood of onset headaches, neck and back pain or discomfort, aches and stiffness, dizziness, and more. It’s important to note that whiplash is commonly listed as a latent injury, or an injury that developed later on after the crash. Even if you currently have no symptoms, that doesn’t mean that they won’t develop down the line. 
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Due to the fact that a large percentage of accidents involve a significant amount of force and inertia, head injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions are very common. In the moment, victims may experience a loss of consciousness, dizziness, and light sensitivity. However, as with whiplash, head injuries tend to linger for a long time, and some may be chronic. Long-term effects can be disruptive to one’s memory, cognitive ability, and dexterity. 
• Chest and Torso Injuries: In the event that you collide with an object in front of you, you will likely be projected forward, and thus be at risk of injury to your chest and midsection. Steering wheels, airbags, and tight seat belts can all contribute to broken ribs/bones, internal damage, and more. 

Frequent Causes of Auto Accidents 

Even though mechanical failures do happen occasionally, the majority or auto accidents in the US are caused by driver error. Some of the biggest mistakes drivers make on the road include:

• Driving While Distracted: It’s no secret that our attention is being diverted in more ways than ever, and unfortunately our driving is worse for it. Anything that diverts our attention from the road is considered a distraction, such as our phones, eating or smoking, adjusting GPS or radio, among others. 
• Driving While Impaired: According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, about 60 percent of Americans will be involved in a crash that was caused by impaired driving at some point in their life. The biggest causes of impairment are alcohol, cannabis, and prescription medication. 
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving: According to the Insurance Information Institute, speed-related accidents cost US drivers over $40 billion a year in damages. Aggressive maneuvers, such as weaving through traffic, tailgating too closely, and making abrupt turns without signaling, cause about two-thirds of all traffic fatalities. 

Connect With Auto Accident Attorneys 

For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000

When you need help getting compensated for the injuries you’ve sustained in a crash, call the experienced Las Vegas auto accident attorneys from Van Law Firm today. With decades of experience and hundreds of 5-star reviews, it’s easy to see why we’re one of the premier firms both in the state and nationwide. 

Call (725) 900-9000 for a free consultation to see what your case may be worth. Our personal injury lawyers may be able to recoup numerous forms of restitution, such as medical reimbursement, property damage, lost wages, and more.