The most common car accident injuries in Houston are whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and psychological injury. A study in the National Library of Medicine reports that neck sprain is the most common injury for car occupants, with 33% of car occupants injured in accidents suffering whiplash.
Understanding common car accident injuries can ensure that your injuries are identified and you are compensated appropriately. Our experienced Houston car accident lawyers at Haun Mena explains the most common car accident injuries in Houston.
Car Accidents Are All Too Common in Houston
In 2024, there were 75,356 crashes involving 192,555 people in Houston (TXDOT). The numbers are similar to 2023, when there were 75,979 motor vehicle crashes involving 197,349 people. In that same year, 301 Houston car accident fatalities occurred, with 546 motor vehicle collision fatalities occurring in Harris County.
In Harris County, TX, a car accident occurs, on average, every 4.56 minutes (115,173 motor vehicle crashes in 2024).
In 2024, a total of 17,950 individuals were reported injured or killed in car accidents in Harris County. Additionally, 278,749 people were involved in car accidents in this area, which accounts for 5.56% of Harris County’s population.
This data underscores that car accidents are a common occurrence in Houston and Harris County and can result in serious injury and death.
Eight Common Injuries From Car Accidents
Here are eight of the most common car accident injuries.
1. Whiplash
Motor vehicle occupants involved in a car accident are more likely to experience whiplash than any other injury. One study indicates that 33% of those injured in motor vehicle accidents sustain whiplash. However, another study suggests that as many as 83% of motor vehicle accident victims may suffer from this condition.
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue that occurs due to the rapid acceleration and deceleration that occurs during a car accident. The impact of the crash transfers energy to the neck, which can subject it to forces greater than what the body can withstand.
Whiplash can be painful and may limit the range of motion in the neck. Related symptoms can include headaches, vision abnormalities, and psychological effects.
2. Head and brain injuries
The CDC says that approximately 300,000 people in the United States sustain car accident-related concussions each year. Head and brain injuries resulting from a car accident can include skull fracture, concussion, penetrating and closed-head injury, hematoma, and diffuse axonal injury (DAI).
Car accident head injuries range in severity and may impair cognition, communication, voluntary movement, and bodily function. Appropriate treatment and treatment outcomes vary based on the type and severity of injury. Compensation for a car accident head injury may include future medical care, support for independence, and personal care support.
3. Back and spinal cord injuries
Back and spinal cord car accident injuries resulting from car accidents can lead to paralysis, nerve damage, trauma to vertebrae, bulging discs, joint injuries, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and chronic pain. Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in the United States. Some back injuries cause immediate immobility and loss of sensation below the point of trauma.
Compensation for a car accident victim with back and spinal cord injury should include long-term impact, including economic loss, personal function, and life expectancy.
4. Broken bones and fractures
Approximately 20% of cyclists injured in car accidents suffer from bone fractures. The femur is the bone that is most commonly fractured in these accidents, followed by the humerus, spine, and skull. Any bone fracture can lead to immobility, pain, and disfigurement. Additionally, broken bones may be accompanied by other injuries, such as joint dislocation and soft tissue damage.
5. Internal injuries and organ damage
Blunt force trauma and penetrating trauma from a car accident can lead to internal injuries. These injuries may affect bodily function and major systems, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and heart. It can be challenging to identify internal injuries, as they may not always present with outward signs of trauma. However, timely treatment is critical. Injuries may be serious even when symptoms are delayed.
6. Chest and abdominal trauma
Chest and abdominal trauma from a car accident can include bone fractures to the ribs and sternum, internal organ damage, bruising, and swelling. Chest and abdomen swelling can restrict vital blood flow throughout the body; this trauma may be painful and even life-threatening.
7. Cuts, burns, and disfigurement
Contusion is the most common injury from a car accident involving pedestrians and people riding two-wheeled vehicles. Among those injured, 17.3% of pedestrians and 23.5% of two-wheeled vehicle riders experience multiple contusions.
Cuts and burns may result from contact with a sharp object. Contact burns may happen if a person is thrown against the ground or pavement. A person might also come into contact with a hot vehicle or fire source, leading to burns. Cuts and burns can result in visible scars or disfigurement.
8. Psychological injuries after a car accident
Some car accident injuries are psychological instead of physical. A person may experience flashbacks, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. They may have social withdrawal and difficulties in employment.
One study found that 32.3% of car accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression is also a common car accident injury (17.4%), and a significant number of car accident victims experience anxiety (5.8%).
When To See a Doctor After a Houston Car Accident
After a Houston car accident in Houston, it is important to see a doctor if there is any possibility of injury. Even life-threatening injuries may not be immediately obvious after an accident, so seeking urgent medical care can help prevent additional harm. Additionally, receiving timely medical care documents any injuries that occur close in time to the accident, which can help establish a claim for monetary compensation.
If you’re a pedestrian or cyclist, it’s a good idea to seek urgent medical attention, as significant injury can occur even at low speeds. If you’re uncertain about whether to seek medical care, it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek urgent medical care.
Seeking Legal Help for Car Accident Injuries in Houston
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may have experienced either common or uncommon injuries. Haun Mena provides legal assistance for car accident injuries in Houston. Our attorneys are here to help ensure that your damages are fully valued under the law and supported with evidence. Call or message us now to talk to an attorney and get help with your case.
