Car Crash Victims Bodies

Overview

Car crashes are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6 million car crashes in the U.S. in 2020, resulting in over 42,000 deaths and over 4.5 million injuries.

Car crashes can have a devastating impact on the victims’ bodies. The forces involved in a car crash can cause severe injuries to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and limbs.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are the leading cause of death in car crashes. The forces involved in a car crash can cause the head to strike the windshield, dashboard, or other objects, resulting in a variety of injuries, including:

Concussions
Brain contusions
Subdural hematomas
Epidural hematomas
Skull fractures

Head injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild head injuries, such as concussions, may cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. Severe head injuries, such as subdural hematomas and skull fractures, can be life-threatening.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries are another common type of injury in car crashes. The forces involved in a car crash can cause the neck to be whiplashed back and forth, resulting in a variety of injuries, including:

Neck sprains
Neck strains
Herniated discs
Spinal cord injuries

Neck injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild neck injuries, such as neck sprains, may cause symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and headaches. Severe neck injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, can be life-changing.

Chest Injuries

Chest injuries are also common in car crashes. The forces involved in a car crash can cause the chest to be compressed, resulting in a variety of injuries, including:

Rib fractures
Sternum fractures
Lung contusions
Heart injuries

Chest injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild chest injuries, such as rib fractures, may cause symptoms such as pain and difficulty breathing. Severe chest injuries, such as heart injuries, can be life-threatening.

Abdominal Injuries

Abdominal injuries are also common in car crashes. The forces involved in a car crash can cause the abdomen to be compressed, resulting in a variety of injuries, including:

Liver lacerations
Spleen lacerations
Intestinal perforations
Kidney injuries

Abdominal injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild abdominal injuries, such as liver lacerations, may cause symptoms such as pain and nausea. Severe abdominal injuries, such as intestinal perforations, can be life-threatening.

Limb Injuries

Limb injuries are also common in car crashes. The forces involved in a car crash can cause the limbs to be fractured, dislocated, or crushed, resulting in a variety of injuries, including:

Bone fractures
Dislocations
Crush injuries
Amputations

Limb injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild limb injuries, such as bone fractures, may cause symptoms such as pain and swelling. Severe limb injuries, such as amputations, can be life-changing.

Treatment

The treatment of car crash victims’ bodies depends on the severity of the injuries. Mild injuries may be treated with pain medication and rest. Severe injuries may require surgery, hospitalization, and long-term rehabilitation.