Common injuries from head-on collisions

Statistics show that head-on collisions are often fatal 10% of the time, though they make up only 2% of all motor vehicle accidents. Head-on crashes are usually caused by excessive speed, fatigued driving, and distracted driving. Even when there are no fatalities, a driver in Orange County, California, may experience common injuries.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury from car accidents that causes the head to jerk violently back and forth, damaging ligaments. The driver may feel they weren’t injured because symptoms can delay for several days because of adrenalin.

Some usual symptoms include shoulder, back, or neck pain, dizziness, increased pain with neck movement, headaches, and blurred vision. Reports show whiplash may occur at speeds lower than 5 to 10 mph, though higher speeds cause more serious injury.

Head and brain injury

A head-on collision may cause head and brain injuries ranging from minor scaring to more serious ones. A traumatic brain injury can occur from the impact of hitting a hard surface, such as the dashboard.

A TBI ranges from mild to severe, and while a few minutes of unconsciousness is common, it does not have to be present. Some common symptoms include pupil dilation, dizziness, persistent nausea or vomiting, convulsions, seizures, and recurring headaches.

Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury interrupts the normal function of the spine, preventing nerve signals from reaching the brain. Sometimes, total paralysis occurs, which is called a complete injury, and partial paralysis is an incomplete injury.

A herniated disc is a common spinal cord injury, which damages the jelly-like structures in between the vertebrae. Symptoms of spinal cord injury may include trouble breathing, sensation loss in legs, arm, or chest, and bowel or bladder control issues.

Drivers may seek compensation from at-fault drivers, but they need medical proof. They should see a doctor soon after the accident, even if they feel fine.