By Dr. Anderson | November 21, 2021

Have you ever been in a car accident? If it was a severe one, did you sustain injuries and have to go to the hospital? If it was minor, did you only get a crook in your neck and wave it off as not a big deal? If you were in a minor car crash, though it was no big deal and did not go to a doctor or hospital: you could still suffer from injuries and be facing repercussions.

Car accidents are serious events that can cause major trauma and injuries to the human body, whether considered a “big” accident or not. In this article, we will be dispelling some of the most common myths about car accidents, car accident injuries, and what happens to your body after a car accident.

TOP MYTHS: WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY IN A CAR CRASH

Small Accidents Aren’t Serious

Many people consider small fender benders benign and do not take them seriously. You can still suffer from small or serious injuries during slow-moving collisions. No matter how small, the accident is unexpected and the human body will thus be jolted by an unexpected change in kinetic energy. Even a small amount of jolting can cause injuries such as damage to muscles, whiplash, pinching of spinal discs, and pressure on the internal organs due to the seat belt engaging. It is extremely important to seek medical attention and care after a minor or slow-moving car accident.

The most common injuries and symptoms from low-speed accidents are whiplashes, neck pain, low back pain, and headaches. Regardless of how low-impact the accident may have been, your body will still absorb a significant amount of shock and energy from the impact on the vehicle, resulting in injuries to the neck and spine. If you feel sore in your neck or are experiencing a headache after a small crash, it could have long-lasting effects and it is important to see a doctor to receive treatment.

Minor Aches And Pains Are Fine

Similar to the notion that small accidents aren’t serious, even small aches and pains that are considered “common injuries” should be checked out after a car accident. Any injury should be taken seriously: minor back pain could end up being a herniated disc; whiplash can develop into a more severe injury in the neck. Don’t overlook any symptoms or pain in your spine, neck, head, ribs, and more: all symptoms and injuries can become serious.

Airbags Can’t Injure You

Though the airbag will certainly save you from much more serious injuries, it can also cause injuries during a car accident. When you are in an accident, the airbag will inflate and prevent you from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, etc. Though it will prevent impact with hard objects, it can still cause damage to soft tissue. Your body will be abruptly thrown forward into the airbag from the energy of the crash and could cause injury to the ribs and general upper body. Some people have even broken bones from airbags, though this is not incredibly common. Injuries from airbags on average are minor, especially during a small car accident.

Your Seatbelt Can’t Injure You

Like the airbag, your seatbelt will do much more good than damage, but can still cause harm. During a car accident and upon impact, you will be jolted forward abruptly from the energy of the collision, causing the seat belt to engage. The seatbelt will tighten around your chest and lower abdomen (even in a minor accident), preventing your body from fully flinging forward. You will likely experience some whiplash in your neck and bruising around where the seatbelt lays on your body (such as your ribs, side, and chest). The seatbelt could even cause damage to internal organs and potentially result in broken bones depending on the speed of the collision. You may not feel the pain immediately, but you definitely will the following day. The injuries sustained to the body could be severe and should always receive medical attention and care.

Head-on Collisions Are Worse

Though head-on car accidents (compared to the side or rear-end accidents) are oftentimes the most severe type of car crash, they are not exclusively the “worst” type. The severity of a car crash depends on the speed, the type of car, the point of impact, and more. High-speed accidents will result in the worst injuries sustained to the human body. A high-speed collision into the rear end of your car will be far worse than a slow head-on collision. When a vehicle is moving quickly, your body is maintaining that same speed. When another car crashes into yours and causes your car to abruptly stop, your body maintains that kinetic energy and wants to keep moving. This is what causes your body to be flung forward in a car accident. No matter the type of car crash, the collision and injuries will always be worse at higher speeds.

The Only Threat Is The Impact

When thinking of car accidents and what happens to the human body, you likely think of the physical injuries from impact to the vehicle, airbags, steering wheel, etc. Most people don’t realize that many injuries during a car crash are caused by another object. Metal, glass, and other parts could be flying during an accident and pose a real threat. These broken-off objects can easily impale soft tissue, resulting in cuts and scrapes. When exiting the vehicle after an accident, be careful of these sharp objects that will likely be in and around the vehicle.

CONCLUSION

There you have it: some of the most common and surprising myths about car crashes, injuries, and what happens to your body during and after a crash. Driving can be dangerous and the best way to avoid an accident is always safe driving, but it is important to be aware of what could happen in a crash so you are prepared.

What happens to your body during a car accident is a severe matter and any injury should always be taken seriously. Ensure you call 911 (and your insurance company) and always seek medical treatment following a car accident, whether or not you seem to be visibly injured. Severe trauma can occur to your body in a car crash (regardless of how “small” the crash may have been), including injuries to the neck, head, spine, muscles, and more.

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I’m Dr. Anderson — thanks for reading!