Every year, an estimated 2 million Americans sustain injuries in collision accidents. Over 5,000 pedestrians in the United States die in traffic crashes every year. Many others sustain serious injuries. Here are a few of the most common injuries in car vs. pedestrian accidents.
1. Soft Tissue Injuries
These injuries are widespread. They may affect you in both severe and minor accidents. Soft tissue injuries occur when there is trauma to a muscle, ligament, tendon, or skin on your body. Whiplash is the most prevalent soft tissue injury in car versus pedestrian accidents.
Others include abrasions, muscle sprain, and lacerations. The symptoms of soft tissue injuries include bruising, swelling, pain, and a limited range of motion.
2. Back Injuries
The symptoms of back injuries include stiffness, pain, muscle spasms, numbness, and paralysis. Back injuries are some of the most common injuries after a car accident. The spinal cord is not designed to sustain heavy impact. When you are involved in an accident, however, your back is likely to be impacted.
3. Upper Extremities
In most car-pedestrian accidents, the final impact is when a pedestrian is tossed over the car or when they land on the hood. In such instances, about 27 percent of pedestrians will suffer injuries in the upper extremities. They may sustain various musculoskeletal effects in the wrists, hands, and arms.
They are also likely to sustain injuries around the chest and abdominal area. There is a double risk of sustaining head injuries as opposed to chest or abdomen injuries. Unfortunately, head injuries can be fatal.
4. Cuts and Scrapes
These injuries are common even in minor accidents. Abrasions or scrapes happen when layers of the skin are torn or scraped. On the other hand, cuts are narrow incisions. They happen when objects in the vehicle break and come in contact with the skin.
Common causes of cuts and scrapes include broken glass, airbags, and car parts. Consider seeking medical attention when you have pus from the wound, your scabs have become bigger, or redness around the wound.
5. Leg and Arm Injuries
Arm and leg injuries are likely to occur when a car makes sudden or unnatural changes in direction. During such accidents, involuntary movements can cause severe arm and leg injuries.
The most common symptoms to watch out for are arm and leg injuries including bruising, swelling, a popping sound, tingling, deformity, pain, and limited range of motion.
6. Internal Injuries
Most internal injuries from car vs. pedestrian accidents require surgery. The internal organs may be damaged by flying debris and blunt objects in a car vs. pedestrian accident. If left untreated, internal injuries can cause death. The symptoms to look out for include swelling, fainting, headache, dizziness, and deep purple color in the affected area.
If you are injured in a Salem car accident, hire a Salem personal injury lawyer. They will go through the details of your case and determine if you are eligible for compensation. They will help you gather and record evidence to maximize your compensation.
