Why serious injuries often results from seemingly minor accidents

With features like airbags, seat belts and crash-avoidance systems; many argue that today’s motor vehicles are safer than ever. While in theory this may be true, annually in the U.S. an alarming number of men, women and children continue to be injured and killed in motor vehicle crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that during 2013 more than 2.3 million people were injured in traffic accidents and a reported “32,719 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes.” In some cases, injuries and deaths result when drivers and passengers fail to utilize important safety devices like seat belts. In other cases, safety devices like air bags may not deploy or be effective in preventing injury or death.

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious and common of all injuries suffered in car accidents. According to the Brain Injury Institute, more than 17 percent of U.S. TBIs are suffered in motor vehicle accidents.

Other painful and serious injuries that may result from a crash include those to a driver’s or passenger’s neck, spine, back and internal organs. These types of injuries are often permanent and debilitating in nature and can and often do result in accidents where vehicles are traveling at slow speeds.

Individuals who are involved in a traffic accident are advised to immediately see a doctor and undergo a thorough physical exam. Frequently, the severity of a vehicle occupant’s injuries aren’t immediately apparent and it may not be until days or weeks later that an individual realizes the serious nature of a head, neck or back injury.