Top 8 Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Australia

Serious Injuries from Motor Vehicle Accidents

Being injured in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic and painful experience. Even minor fender-benders can leave you with a medical condition that requires a long recovery.

In Australia, many car crashes occur daily, causing minor injuries (such as neck pain) and property damage. However, there can also be severe cases that involve limb loss or require surgical correction and extensive medical care.

According to the Australian Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Road Safety, common injuries sustained in car accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and failure to wear a seatbelt or other restraint.

In fact, over 60,000 Australians were hospitalised due to car accident injuries in 2019, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

If you know the common injuries from motor vehicle accidents, you can take preventive measures to avoid harm and reduce the risk of long-lasting damage. Our legal guide explores:

• The statistics for serious car accidents in Australia
• The eight most common road traffic injuries every driver should know
• Your right to seek advice from a car accident lawyer for a car crash that is not your fault
• The common questions about injuries from motor vehicle accidents

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Injury Compensation Claims After Motor Vehicle Accidents

Our motor vehicle accident lawyers provide compensation legal services for personal injury claims after a traffic collision. We provide free initial advice for third-party insurance claims and court proceedings (if required), including:

• If you have a valid claim
• The evidence required, including the contact details of the other driver
• Medical evidence, such as doctors’ reports
• Your entitlements under Queensland legislation
• The time limits for your case
• Our 100% no-win, no-fee policy

Pay for a win and zero if you lose. Call 1800 700 125

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Australian Statistics for Serious Car Accidents

Statistics from the National Road Safety Data Hub indicate that common injuries for road accident victims range from minor bruising and soft tissue damage to severe head injuries that affect brain tissue, spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, and internal injuries that can take time to become obvious.

Sadly, a single crash can sometimes cause multiple injuries sustained that complicate medical treatment and long recovery times. For example, you could have soft tissue trauma combined with spinal cord damage that impacts the functioning of your brain tissue.

• Motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities because riders have less protection compared to car drivers.
• Knee injuries and other limb traumas are common in both car and motorcycle accidents, frequently requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

According to the Australian Road Deaths Database, there are approximately 1,100–1,300 road fatalities annually, with drivers and passengers of motor vehicles accounting for the largest proportion of fatal injuries.

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The Top 8 Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Even with modern vehicles’ security features, the speed and force of a traffic crash are too great for the human body to withstand. Hence, common car accident injuries in Australia feature the following:

#1: Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash is a common neck injury that typically results from a sudden impact, such as a vehicle hitting you. It is often experienced during motor vehicle accidents and is a frequent cause of personal injury claims. According to the BMCMusculoskeletal Disorders Journal, the annual incidence of whiplash is 106 per 100,000 and accounts for 75% of all survivable automobile accidents.

This type of car injury often occurs in rear-end collisions when the vehicle behind you slams into the back of your motor vehicle, jerking your head and upper back forward. It can also happen when you hit something in front (as in head-on collisions) or have to push your brakes abnormally hard, swinging your head and neck back and forth.

This sudden stop strains your upper back muscles and tendons, leading to symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and occasional blurred vision. Notably, following the accident, these symptoms may not become apparent until a few days or even longer.

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#2: Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

People involved in serious car accidents often receive a jolt to the head that causes a brain contusion or concussion, also known as a milder form of a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Depending on the severity of neurological injuries, you may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, memory issues, and confusion.

More severe head and brain injuries can have profound effects, such as unconsciousness, seizures, confusion, and slurred speech. Importantly, symptoms might not appear immediately after the incident but may unfold in the following days or weeks.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a leading cause of disability and traffic deaths, with approximately 50,000 fatalities and 80,000 to 90,000 individuals suffering long-term disabilities each year due to TBIs.

• If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, seek medical treatment for a thorough assessment, as you may require surgery for a full recovery.
• Treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including medical, psychological, and rehabilitative care to address both physical and cognitive impairments.

More about head injury claims

#3: Bone Fractures and Skeletal Injuries

Some car accident victims suffer broken bones, which can be a serious injury. Orthopaedic injuries are common in high-impact crashes and often affect the ribs, collarbones, and limbs.

Fractures, including broken legs, arms, ribs and skull fractures, are common injuries in car accidents, with severity ranging from simple breaks requiring a cast to complex fractures needing surgical intervention.

This type of damage can cause chronic pain and emotional distress, forcing you to take time off work with expensive medical bills for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

High-force impacts or stress often cause fractures. If your broken bones are due to another’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to car accident compensation. The responsible party’s insurer will be accountable for alleviating your financial and emotional burden.

#4: Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and Strains

As mentioned above, one of the main issues with motor vehicle accident injuries is that they’re not always immediately noticeable. Another example of this is soft tissue injuries, impacting muscles, ligaments, and tendons – often tricky to spot but can result in significant pain and discomfort following a motor vehicle collision.

Sprains and strains result from sudden impacts that cause ligaments to stretch or tear and muscles or tendons to overstretch.

Symptoms can range from localised pain, stiffness, and inflammation to limited motion in the affected area. Despite their often ‘invisible nature,’ soft tissue damage can profoundly impact your daily life, restricting your mobility and causing ongoing discomfort.

#5: Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Now, while you can typically live and recover from most motor vehicle injuries we’ve covered above, one car injury is far more severe and traumatic than most: spinal injuries.

A spinal injury is among the most serious injuries from a motor vehicle crash because it can cause severe pain and sometimes paralysis.

#6: Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, including damage to organs, blood vessels, or the digestive system, often go unnoticed initially but can have profound implications. Damage to internal organs often requires emergency medical treatment because internal bleeding can be life-threatening when untreated.

Internal bleeding can occur from the intense impact of a motor vehicle accident, being one of the leading causes. Common symptoms include internal bleeding, deep bruising, head trauma, chest injuries, lightheadedness, swelling, and abdominal pain.

Get Medical Assistance

Always seek medical assistance if you are injured in a car crash. Yes, this sounds repetitive, but you’d be amazed at how many people survive high-speed accidents and brush themselves off. They think they’re okay, only to discover they suffer from internal bleeding or organ damage, severely harming their well-being.

#7: Cuts and Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations might seem like minor injuries when compared with other car accident injuries mentioned in this guide, but they are common consequences of motor vehicle accidents. Such injuries can occur in any part of the body, but facial injuries are a common outcome.

Cuts and lacerations can lead to significant blood loss, nerve damage, or infection if not adequately treated. It’s vital to seek immediate medical attention to prevent complications and to begin documenting the incident to pursue a compensation claim.

#8: Psychological Trauma (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

To wrap things up, let’s look at one of the more unique and often overlooked medical conditions associated with injuries from motor vehicle accidents. While physical damage frequently takes centre stage, psychological trauma can be equally debilitating.

Among the most common mental health concerns following such an experience is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, approximately 1 in 3 individuals may develop significant psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, or PTSD within a month of a crash.

More about psychological injury claims

PTSD Symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD range from intense anxiety and nightmares to flashbacks and emotional distress. PTSD is a severe mental disorder that has the potential to impact every area of your life after a motor vehicle accident.

Claiming Compensation When Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident

You could be eligible to make a compensation claim when another party causes car accident injuries. CTP claims have strict time limits, so it is important to respond quickly.

1. First, report the accident to the police (if required). For example, in certain areas such as Western Australia, if the accident is not reported within 28 days, you may be unable to claim compensation later.
2. Get post-crash medical care.
3. Next, document the scene of the incident. Take photos and videos of the location, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries, as these will serve as evidence in a compensation claim.
4. Also, get the contact details of the witnesses and the other driver, along with their insurance information.

If you wish to make a claim for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, you must contact the relevant insurer, which is typically the insurer of the vehicle that caused the accident, and provide necessary details such as the vehicle’s licence plate.

QLD Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you have the right to seek legal advice regarding compensation for financial loss.

At Splatt Lawyers, we provide legal services on a 100% no-win, no-fee basis. It’s free to know your rights. Call 1800 700 125

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