Vehicular accidents occur when two or more vehicles collide with each other, pedestrians, or objects. Such accidents can cause property damage, injuries, and even death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated six million car accidents occur in the United States every year, where about 2.6 million vehicle occupants sustain injuries. Furthermore, on average, 99 people die from car accidents each day. And that’s an alarming number.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention, then contact a car accident attorney in Houston or wherever you may be located. They can help you recover compensation for damages while you focus on recovering from your injuries.  

However, head-on collisions can be catastrophic, causing injuries that may prove to be fatal. Here are four common injuries from a car accident that might result in death:

1. Head Injury

Head injuries from a car crash may range from minor concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A person’s head can suffer severe injuries if it hits the vehicle’s dashboard, steering wheel, or other objects with tremendous force.

Headaches, disorientation, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, and seizures are some head injury symptoms. Untreated head injuries can result in severe brain damage or even death. That’s why getting immediate medical treatment is crucial after a car accident.

2. Chest Injury

Chest injuries are also common in car accidents and can be fatal. A person’s chest can be injured in a car collision if it slams against the steering wheel or dashboard. As a result of the impact, the chest wall, lungs, heart, or significant blood vessels can be damaged.

The following are examples of chest injuries that can cause death in a car accident:

  • Cardiac Contusion: This refers to a heart bruise or damage that can induce irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest.
  • Rib Fracture: Fractured ribs can be excruciatingly painful and life-threatening if they puncture the lungs or other critical organs.

  • Aortic Rupture: An aortic rupture refers to a tear or hole through the three layers of the aorta, the primary blood vessel transporting blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If not treated immediately, this injury could be fatal.

  • Pneumothorax: Also known as a collapsed lung, pneumothorax occurs when air enters the gap between the lungs and the chest wall, causing the lung to give way. It can lead to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or death.

Chest trauma from a car accident requires quick medical intervention.

3. Spinal Cord Injury

Acute spinal cord injuries due to a car accident can cause paralysis or even death. These injuries occur when the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that runs down the back, is bruised, partially torn, or completely torn due to the accident’s impact.

Listed below are examples of spinal cord injuries that are potentially fatal:

  • Paraplegia: Paralysis of the legs and lower body is known as paraplegia. Damage to the spinal cord in the lower back might cause it. Poor circulation can lead to blood clots, increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions like thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
  • Quadriplegia: The paralysis of both the arms and legs is called quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia. Injuries to the neck’s spinal cord can result in this condition. This type of injury is usually fatal without emergency treatment.

Traumatic spinal cord injuries can cause irreversible loss of mobility and death.

4. Abdominal Injury

When the abdomen, which houses the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, and other organs, is hit or crushed in a car collision, the resulting injuries can be fatal.

The following are abdominal injuries that can cause death in a car accident:

  • Spleen Rupture: The spleen is a small organ in the upper left side of the abdomen. A ruptured spleen can result in life-threatening internal bleeding.
  • Liver Laceration: The liver is a big organ on the right side of the stomach. A severe laceration to the liver can result in internal bleeding, which can be fatal.
  • Bowel Perforation: The bowel or intestine is the long, tubular organ in the abdomen. A hole or perforation in your bowel might cause septic shock and organ failure.

Any of the above injuries are life-threatening and should not be taken lightly.

Summary

Car accidents can result in head, chest, spinal, and abdominal injuries that may lead to death. The severity of these injuries can vary significantly depending on collision speed, environmental conditions, alcohol consumption, and various other factors.

If you’re involved in a car accident, seek medical treatment immediately, and report the accident to your insurance company and local law enforcement.