The Most Common Injuries After A Car Accident – And When To Call An Attorney

A car accident can change your life in seconds. Even collisions that seem minor at the scene can lead to painful, long-lasting injuries that disrupt your work, daily routine, and financial stability. Understanding the most common injuries after a crash—and knowing when to call a personal injury attorney—can make all the difference in protecting your health, your rights, and your compensation.

Below our friends at Ganderton Law, LLC explain the injuries accident victims experience most often, how they impact the body, and the specific situations when calling an attorney is crucial.

1. Whiplash And Soft-Tissue Injuries

Whiplash is the single most common injury after a car accident, especially rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is violently forced back and forth, stretching muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Symptoms may include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Shoulder and back pain
• Dizziness
• Limited range of motion

Soft-tissue injuries are often underestimated because they don’t show up on X-rays, making them easy for insurance companies to dismiss or minimize.

When to Call an Attorney

If an insurer is questioning your whiplash symptoms, pressuring you to settle quickly, or denying treatment costs, call a car accident lawyer. These injuries are real, medically recognized, and often require physical therapy or long-term care. An attorney ensures the insurance company doesn’t downplay your pain or limit your recovery.

2. Back And Spinal Injuries

The force of a crash can compress, twist, or jolt the spine, leading to injuries such as:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Lumbar sprains and strains
• Sciatica
• Chronic lower-back pain

Spinal injuries may start with mild soreness but can worsen over days or weeks.

When to Call an Attorney

Back injuries are expensive to treat—MRIs, chiropractic care, pain management, injections, and sometimes surgery. If another driver caused the crash and you’re facing significant medical bills or missed work, an attorney can pursue compensation for treatment costs, future care, and lost income.

3. Concussions And Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Head injuries are very common in both low-impact and high-impact crashes. You can suffer a concussion without hitting your head—your brain can shift inside your skull from the force of impact.

Common symptoms:

• Headaches
• Sensitivity to light
• Memory issues
• Confusion or brain fog
• Sleep disturbances
• Nausea

Some symptoms appear hours or days after the accident.

When to Call an Attorney

Brain injuries can have lifelong consequences. If you’ve been diagnosed with a concussion or TBI, call a lawyer immediately. You should not deal with the insurance company alone—they often try to minimize concussions because they can be invisible on imaging. An attorney helps document symptoms, secure professional evaluations, and ensure long-term effects are fully accounted for in your claim.

4. Broken Bones And Fractures

Car accidents frequently cause fractures in the:

• Arms
• Wrists
• Ribs
• Legs
• Ankles
• Collarbone

Even “simple” fractures can require casting, surgery, or hardware placement, and the healing period can severely limit daily activities.

When to Call an Attorney

Any crash that causes a broken bone is considered a high-value personal injury claim. You should call a lawyer if you suffered a fracture, especially if:

• Surgery was required
• You’re unable to work
• You’ll need physical therapy
• You’re experiencing long-term disability or pain

These cases often involve significant compensation, and an attorney protects you from being underpaid.

5. Chest, Rib, And Internal Injuries

Seatbelts save lives, but they can cause bruising, cracked ribs, and soft-tissue injuries during impact. More severe collisions can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, or injuries from airbag deployment.

When to Call an Attorney

Any internal injury should trigger an immediate call to an attorney. These cases require strong medical documentation and often involve disputes over whether the crash or a pre-existing condition caused the injury. An attorney ensures the true cause is clearly established.

6. Emotional And Psychological Trauma

Not all injuries are physical. Many accident victims experience:

• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Sleep issues
• Driving fear or avoidance
• Depression

These emotional injuries are real and compensable.

When to Call an Attorney

If the accident has affected your mental health or daily functioning, an attorney can ensure these damages are included in your settlement. Insurance companies rarely acknowledge emotional trauma without legal pressure.

When You Should Always Call an Attorney

No matter the type of injury, you should call an attorney if:

• You’re hurt in any way
• The insurance company is pushing a quick settlement
• You’re missing work because of the accident
• Liability is disputed
• Your symptoms appeared days after the crash
• Medical bills are piling up

Accident injuries are often more serious than they appear at first. A personal injury attorney helps you get proper medical treatment, protects you from insurance tactics, and fights to ensure you receive full compensation—not just what the insurance company wants to pay.