Most of us are familiar with car accident injuries like whiplash or broken legs. However, there are many other less common car accident injuries. The fact that these injuries don’t happen often doesn’t make them any less serious or stressful.

This article examines 10 uncommon car accident injuries and their causes. It also explains why seeing a doctor after a car accident is crucial to protecting your legal rights. Finally, it discusses how a Crestview personal injury lawyer can help after a crash.

10 Uncommon Car Accident Injuries

Here are 10 rare car accident injuries.

  1. Hyphema (Bleeding in the Eye) – In hyphema, blood collects in the front of the eye between the cornea and the iris (the colored part of the eye). The eye looks as if the iris is filling with blood.
  2. Laryngeal Fracture and Crushed Trachea – The trachea (windpipe) carries air to the lungs. The larynx (voice box) sits just above the trachea. If the neck is injured during a car accident, the trachea or larynx can be crushed. Injury to either can obstruct the windpipe and cause breathing problems.
  3. Ear Barotrauma – Ear barotrauma happens when the air pressure inside your ear differs from the outside pressure. Most of us have experienced this on airplane flights, but car accidents can also cause this condition. Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) is a symptom of ear barotrauma.
  4. Brachial Plexus Injuries – The brachial plexus is a group of nerves in the neck and shoulder that control the arm and hand. Brachial plexus injuries can cause pain, numbness, or even paralysis.
  5. Aortic Dissection – Aortic dissection happens when the inner part of the aorta develops a tear. This tear is life-threatening and must be treated immediately.
  6. Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung) – Each lung is encased in membranes called pleura. The area between the membranes is called the pleural space. Normally, the pleural space is filled with fluid that supports breathing. But in a pneumothorax, air enters the pleural space. This air pushes on the outside of the lung, making breathing difficult or impossible.
  7. Sternal Fracture – The sternum (breastbone) anchors most of the ribs. Because the heart is just under and to the left of it, any injury to the sternum should be taken seriously.
  8. Internal Organ Injury – Any organ in the body can be damaged. Because they have no bones to shield them, the organs in the lower body – e.g., the intestines, liver, spleen, and kidneys – are more vulnerable to damage.
  9. Friction Burn (Road Rash) - Road rash is fairly common in motorcycle accidents but rarer in car accidents. Road rash happens when a person’s skin slides along a hard surface, causing parts of the skin to be scraped away. Many road rash injuries also involve dirt or gravel getting embedded in the skin.
  10. Compartment Syndrome – Muscles, nerves, and blood vessels often work together in compartments. These compartments are covered by fascia, the body’s connective tissue. When injuries cause swelling or bleeding, the muscles and nerves in a compartment start to press against the fascia. If the pressure against the fascia isn’t reduced, the compartment will eventually lose its blood supply.

Common Causes of Uncommon Car Accident Injuries Seatbelt

The 10 car accident injuries discussed above have many causes. Here are a few of the most common.

  • Blunt force trauma: Blunt force trauma happens when a body part hits a solid, unsharpened object. Blunt force trauma plays a role in many car accident injuries. For example, if a person’s eye hits the steering wheel during an accident, hyphema can result. A blow to the chest can cause aortic dissection or a collapsed lung.
  • Airbag Deployment: A typical airbag leaves its module at a speed of 200 mph. While the speed can be lifesaving, given the high velocity, body parts that get in the way of an airbag can be easily injured. The release of pressurized gases can also cause ear barotrauma.
  • Rapid deceleration: Do you remember learning, “A body in motion tends to stay in motion?” Before an accident, your body is moving fast. If you brake suddenly, your car will stop, but your body will continue moving. So, the abrupt stop will cause your body to make rapid back-and-forth or side-to-side movements. These movements are the cause of many brachial plexus injuries and sternal fractures.
  • Seatbelts: Make no mistake: Seatbelts save lives. But sometimes, in the process of doing so, they sometimes create injuries. For example, the force the seatbelt exerts while restraining a passenger can damage internal organs.

Why You Should See a Doctor Immediately After an Accident

If you’re involved in a car accident, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for at least two reasons.

First, not all car accident injuries show up immediately. Swelling and adrenaline can mask injuries for days or weeks. Seeing a doctor right away will make sure that your injuries will be recognized and treated before they become more serious.

Second, after an accident, insurance companies will want to argue that your injuries are either non-existent or not that serious. Seeking medical care right away undercuts that argument and helps your Crestview car accident lawyer build a stronger case.

What Are the Legal Rights of People Who’ve Suffered Uncommon Car Accident Injuries?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident because someone else drove carelessly, you have rights. First, you and your Fort Walton car accident lawyer must prove that:

  • The other driver had a duty to drive carefully,
  • The other driver failed to drive carefully,
  • You were injured, and
  • The failure to drive carefully caused your injuries.

If you successfully prove these points, you’ll be entitled to damages to compensate you for the harm you’ve suffered. In car accident cases, typical damages cover past and future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Crestview personal injury lawyer can tell you which types of damages apply in your case.

Need Legal Help After a Florida Car Accident?

If you’ve suffered a common or uncommon injury after a car accident, you have rights. Hiring an attorney is the best way to protect those rights. If you are looking for a Crestview auto accident lawyer, look no further than Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A. Our family-owned law firm has been helping injured Florida residents since 1951. We have the expertise you need to get you through this time. Call us at 850-682-2757 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.