Most Common Car Accident Injuries
The aftermath of a car wreck is stressful and frightening. Your vehicle will likely sustain damage, but even worse, you and any passengers may suffer one or more injuries—sometimes life-changing. If you get into a car accident caused by someone else's negligent, reckless, or erratic behavior, never just assume that you're fine. There are many injuries that may not be immediately apparent following a collision, and even minor injuries require treatment. Treatment for these injuries can lead to mounting medical bills, lost wages, and pain you never expected. You deserve to be compensated for every expense and hardship. Machi & Associates, P.C., Arlington’s most trusted car accident and personal injury law office, has the experience to fight for your rights and maximize your financial recovery.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries in Texas
Below are some of the most common injuries you should watch for after any crash, along with critical considerations to protect your future health, finances, and legal case.
1. Neck and Back Injuries
Injuries to your neck and back can be extremely dangerous. They are often caused by the violent, jerking motion that happens during a crash, which can damage the delicate structures of the spine and surrounding tissues. These injuries may involve:
- Whiplash: The most common neck injury; caused by rapid back-and-forth motion. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, headaches, and sometimes cognitive changes. Symptoms may not appear until hours or days after the collision.
- Herniated discs: The intervertebral discs can bulge or rupture, pinching nerves and causing arm or leg weakness, numbness, or radiating pain.
- Sciatica: Compression of the sciatic nerve can lead to pain radiating from the lower back down one or both legs.
- Fractured vertebrae: High-speed or forceful crashes can crack or crush the spinal bones, sometimes resulting in paralysis.
Neck and back injuries sometimes worsen with time. Always seek immediate medical attention, keep careful records, and reach out to a skilled attorney like Machi & Associates, P.C. who understands how to document your injuries for both health and legal purposes.
2. Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue encompasses muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves, found throughout your body—including in your head, neck, and joints. These tissues are often stretched, bruised, or torn in car accidents. Examples include:
- Strains and sprains
- Bruises and contusions
- Joint damage (shoulders, knees, wrists, ankles)
- Tendon or ligament ruptures
- Nerve damage—may cause tingling, numbness, or loss of function
Many soft tissue injuries are “invisible” on X-rays. Insurance companies sometimes downplay these injuries, but Machi & Associates, P.C. knows how to present evidence—medical records, therapy notes, and testimony—to win you full compensation.
3. Scrapes, Cuts, and Lacerations
Scrapes and cuts, from flying glass, metal, or impact with hard surfaces, are some of the most frequent injuries. While many are minor and heal with basic care, some require stitches, surgery, or can even result in permanent scarring. Deep cuts may bleed extensively or injure underlying muscles, nerves, or blood vessels, leading to serious complications. Infection is another risk.
If you suffer any visible injury, be sure to thoroughly document it with photographs and medical records. This is crucial information for your injury claim.
4. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Concussions
Perhaps the most dangerous auto accident injury is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Any forceful blow or jolt to the head can change brain function, leading to symptoms from mild headaches and confusion to severe cognitive impairment, coma, or death. Common brain-related injuries include:
- Concussions: “Mild” TBIs often result in confusion, memory loss, dizziness, and sensory changes even if the skull isn’t fractured.
- Brain bleeding/hemorrhage: Blood vessels in the brain rupture, causing pressure that can be deadly if not treated promptly.
- Skull fractures: Cracks in the bone can lead to brain exposure, infection, or serious neurologic problems.
- Cerebral contusions: Bruising of the brain, often seen in high-speed collisions
- Diffuse axonal injury: Shearing forces can tear brain fibers, resulting in lasting disability or coma
Symptoms can appear hours or days after the accident. It’s vital to monitor for memory loss, confusion, headaches, vision problems, balance issues, or mood changes. Never skip medical care after a crash with a blow to the head—early intervention can be life-saving. Machi & Associates, P.C. will also work closely with your treatment providers to ensure your long-term needs and losses are fully valued for any legal claim.
5. Broken and Fractured Bones
Car crashes often result in broken arms, legs, ribs, pelvic bones, hands, wrists, and sometimes the spine. Some fractures are extremely obvious—limbs at odd angles, inability to bear weight—while others may be hairline and missed initially. Left untreated, fractures can heal crookedly or cause long-term pain and mobility issues.
- Open fractures (bone breaks through the skin) are at risk for infection.
- Severe trauma may crush, splinter, or completely shatter bone, requiring hardware placement and months of rehabilitation.
Proper documentation and expert testimony are key for these injuries. At Machi & Associates, P.C., we ensure your current and future treatment costs are factored into your demand for compensation.
6. Burns
Burns may result from vehicle fires, hot surfaces, chemicals, or even airbag deployment. Severity ranges from:
- First-degree (minor, heals quickly)
- Second-degree (blistering, risk of infection)
- Third-degree (deep tissue/nerve damage, often requiring grafts)
Even minor burns can lead to infection, scarring, and psychological trauma if on visible areas. Serious burns may require skin grafts and extensive rehabilitation. If burns are a result of a car defect or an explosion, product liability laws may also apply. Machi & Associates, P.C. can evaluate each angle for maximum recovery.
7. Internal Injuries & Internal Bleeding
One of the greatest dangers is internal bleeding, which can happen when the force of impact damages internal organs, blood vessels, or tissues. Because symptoms may be delayed, these injuries are often missed at the scene, but can become life-threatening rapidly. Common internal injuries include:
- Liver or spleen lacerations
- Internal bleeding in the abdomen or chest (hemothorax, peritoneal bleeding)
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Bowel or bladder injuries
Signs may include abdominal pain, swelling, dizziness, fainting, or visible bruising. Rapid evaluation in an ER is critical. Compensation claims for internal injuries often involve high medical costs, extended recovery, and sometimes permanent disability.
8. Facial Injuries and Dental Trauma
Facial cuts, fractures, or lost teeth frequently occur from hitting airbags, steering wheels, dashboards, or broken glass. Even minor facial injuries can lead to scarring, speech or eating issues, and emotional distress. Dental work can be extensive and costly—and it is often not covered by health insurance.
Our attorneys at Machi & Associates, P.C. will demand full compensation for these medical, cosmetic, and emotional facets of your injury.
9. Psychological Injuries and PTSD
Physical injuries are only part of the harm caused by a serious crash. Many victims experience anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may have a claim for counseling costs, lost quality of life, or emotional distress—damages that are real and deserve compensation. Machi & Associates, P.C. recognizes the impact of emotional trauma and will make sure it is included in your car accident claim.
10. Fatal Injuries and Wrongful Death
Sadly, some collisions result in the loss of life. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death or survival claim for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of income and support
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish and emotional pain
Machi & Associates, P.C. can provide both compassionate support and aggressive advocacy to your family through the most difficult times imaginable.
What Should You Do After Suffering Injuries in a Car Accident?
- Seek immediate medical attention—even for “minor” pain. Document all symptoms, treatments, and provider visits for your records.
- Follow up with specialists or rehabilitation as needed. Some injuries (especially soft tissue and brain injuries) require ongoing care.
- Keep a diary of your pain, recovery, emotional state, and any daily challenges or lost activities.
- Save all bills, receipts, pay stubs (for lost wage claims), and any correspondence from insurance companies.
- Contact a caring, experienced attorney like Machi & Associates, P.C. as soon as possible. Early legal involvement helps secure evidence, defends you from insurance tactics, and ensures your rights are protected from day one.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Car Accident
Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, or counseling expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life or loss of household services
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to care or modifications
- Wrongful death damages for survivors, if applicable
Machi & Associates, P.C. meticulously documents and fights for every dollar you are owed. We collaborate with doctors, economists, and life-care planners to ensure your accident’s full impact is reflected in your settlement or verdict.
How Machi & Associates, P.C. Can Help You Recover After Car Accident Injuries
The process of healing is hard enough. Let Machi & Associates, P.C., Arlington’s most trusted car accident law firm, handle the insurance companies, settlement negotiations, and—if needed—court battles. We are committed to:
- Investigating your accident meticulously to prove liability
- Connecting you with top medical professionals for care and documentation
- Managing all paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations
- Exploring all possible sources of compensation, including related personal injury or bankruptcy implications if your injuries threaten your financial stability
- Representing you aggressively, but always with integrity and compassion
- Charging no fees unless we win your case
When Injuries Threaten Your Finances
Sometimes, even with the best medical care and legal help, a devastating accident leaves you facing bankruptcy due to medical bills or loss of work. Machi & Associates, P.C. understands both Texas bankruptcy law and injury law, so you can trust one office with every step of your recovery and financial protection.
Our entire firm is committed to seeing you through, from accident to settlement to whatever steps are needed to rebuild your life.
Contact the Most Trusted Car Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys in Arlington, Texas
If you have suffered any injury in a car accident—or lost a loved one in a crash—don’t just accept what the insurance company offers. Reach out to Machi & Associates, P.C. for the highest level of experience, compassion, and advocacy in Arlington, Texas. We’ll fight for every dollar you deserve so you can focus on healing, rebuilding, and moving forward with confidence.
