The odds of getting into a vehicle accident are 1 in 366 per 1,000 miles. About 3 million auto accident injuries occur annually in the United States. There are several types of injuries a driver in Indiana may experience if they get into an accident.

WHIPLASH

Whiplash mostly occurs in rear-impact car accidents that forcefully jerk the neck back and forth. The impact of the accident causes the neck muscles to hyper-extend, forcing them out of alignment.

Some common signs include arm or hand tingling, pain or numbness, neck stiffness or pain, shoulder pain, dizziness and blurred vision. Sometimes, drivers feel like they aren’t injured, but whiplash symptoms may remain dormant for several hours or days because of adrenaline.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

A traumatic brain injury is caused by the head slamming into a hard surface, such as the dashboard. A TBI may be mild, such as a concussion, and cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, vision issues, fatigue or balance problems.

Sometimes, loss of consciousness occurs with a mild TBI, but concussions may be present without it. A more serious TBI, such as hematoma, commonly causes long periods of unconsciousness, swelling, confusion, seizures and convulsions.

CHEST AND BACK INJURY

A chest injury commonly occurs from seat belt syndrome, which can compress the rib cage and damage the spleen. Other causes of chest injury are airbags that don’t deploy correctly and hitting a hard surface.

A serious injury from auto accidents is a herniated disc that damages the soft cushions between vertebrae. Another common back injury after car accidents includes spinal stenosis, which narrows the spaces in the spine.

Drivers should get checked immediately regardless of how they feel. Having medical evidence may help injured victims gather injury proof and maximize the settlement amount. Sometimes, insurance companies offer fair amounts, but an injured victim shouldn’t be afraid to negotiate.