Every year, Florida observes approximately 400,000 car accidents. In 2021, there were 401,170 accidents in Florida. To date, in 2022, Florida has had 194,632 car accidents. Of those, 80,025 have resulted in reported injuries from auto collisions. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), about 40% of all car accidents in Florida result in injuries.

That means if you get into a car accident in Florida, there is a 40% chance of sustaining injuries. Of course, you may have already been in an accident and have added to those statistics. But, the odds are still worrisome, considering many of the leading causes of Florida accidents, like negligence and drunk driving, are preventable.

Whether you have sustained injuries in a car accident or wish to stay informed about accident injuries, educating yourself can be helpful in the case of an accident.

Here are some of the most common car accident injuries that people end up with after a collision. Contact a Florida car accident attorney to discuss your options if you’ve suffered any of these or other damages.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries in Florida?

You might have sustained injuries if you were involved in a car, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bike accident. Unfortunately, they happen every day and can range from mild to catastrophic. Here are some of the most common injuries victims suffer after Florida car accidents:

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the leading injuries that result from car accidents in Florida. It happens from the jerking motion created by the force of a collision. The sudden stop will rapidly whip your neck back and forth when the car crashes. The abrupt and aggressive movement can lead to tears or straining of joints, muscles, or tendons in the neck. Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Pain in or around the neck
• Stiff neck
• Tenderness or pain when moving the neck
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Pain in the shoulders
• Lower back pain

Head Injuries

Head injuries are another leading type of injury that car accident victims sustain. Specifically, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are severe and prevalent in car accidents.

Another head injury commonly seen in car accidents is a concussion. A concussion causes the victim’s brain to experience trauma from the collision. Again, the abrupt and unexpected moment can cause the victim to hit their head on the car and temporarily lose consciousness.

A contusion is a specific type of TBI, essentially bruising on the brain. It causes bleeding and swelling around the brain. It’s also possible to incur a skull fracture. A skull fracture is when part of your skull bone breaks.

Moreover, penetration injuries are also common after an auto collision. This is when an object penetrates the head and causes damage to the brain.

Here are some symptoms to look out for if you sustained a head injury after a Florida car accident:

• Persistent Headaches
• Nausea
• Dilated pupils
• Confusion
• Inability to focus or difficulty concentrating
• Experiencing a sensitivity to light or sounds
• Delayed reaction times or slower reflexes
• Fatigue and tiredness more than you usually experience
• Vertigo
• Numbness in the limbs or extremities
• Reduced balance
• Difficulty coping with emotions
• Seizures

Back Injuries

Many Florida car accident victims suffer back injuries from the crash’s impact. A herniated disc is one of the most common types of a back injury after an auto collision.

A herniated disc is a slipped or ruptured disc in the spine. When part of the rubbery cushion, or disc, between the spinal bones slips, it can bulge from its standard placement. Consequently, the nearby nerves can become pinched or irritated. The result often manifests in injury victims as pain, numbness, or weakness. In addition, victims can experience symptoms of a herniated disc in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs, depending on where the disc is herniated.

Another common back injury from accidents is a spinal fracture. Spinal fractures occur when your upper body is violently thrust forward while your lower border remains in place. The seatbelt usually holds your lower body in place. This propelling motion causes a flexion-distraction fracture. The result is a break in your middle or lower back vertebrae.

Another back injury that can come from car accidents is a burst fracture. This is when the vertebrae get crushed in multiple areas, thus causing bone fragments to disperse and cause further injuries.

Broken Bones

Broken bones happen frequently in car accident cases. The blunt force of the auto collision can break almost any bone in your body. While a car collision could break any bone, the most common broken bone cases from car accidents include:

• Legs
• Arms
• Hands
• Feet
• Fingers
• Nose
• Jaw
• Collarbone

Sometimes it’s self-evident when you’ve broken a bone. For example, you may see a broken bone protruding from your limb. However, other times it can be unclear if you have a broken bone or if the injury is different. Signs of a broken bone include swelling, bruising, redness, loss of motor function where the bone is broken, and excruciating pain.

Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruising

Accident victims rarely walk away from the collision without a few cuts and bruises. You may have sustained a small cut or scrape on your face or head from the airbags. If your airbags fail to deploy, the victim can hit their head on the steering wheel. That would also cause some substantial bruising or a laceration. Likewise, if your head or any body part hits the windows, you can sustain cuts or deep lacerations.

Loose objects in the car may pose as dangerous projectile injury culprits. They can fly toward your head and create cuts, scrapes, or bruises. For example, a book, purse, or other loose items in the car could inflict injuries.

How Much Do You Get for Pain and Suffering in a Florida Car Accident?

There is no set amount that victims can automatically receive for pain and suffering. The amount you can recover will vary depending on multiple factors.

Pain and suffering are the physical and mental or emotional distress you’ve suffered from accident injuries. They are also referred to as non-economic damages. It can be challenging to determine the value of pain and suffering since these damages don’t have fixed or measurable costs. There is no price tag on suffering.

While medical bills and property damage, and lost wages have records and specific costs to calculate, pain and suffering are not as straightforward. That’s why you should consult with an experienced Florida car accident attorney. They can help assess your case and determine a fair amount to seek for your pain and suffering.

Get Help From a Florida Car Accident Attorney

Contact a legal professional if you or a loved one suffered any of these common injuries in a Florida car accident. Or if you’ve sustained any other damages in an accident, We are experienced Florida personal injury lawyers who can help you.

You deserve fair compensation for your medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and other damages.

We pride ourselves on providing our clients compassionate, honest, and dedicated legal counsel. As one of Florida’s leading personal injury firms, we have helped countless car accident victims recover compensation.

Furthermore, we understand how devastating an unexpected accident can be, especially if you have sustained severe injuries. Therefore, let us handle all of your legal proceedings so that you can prioritize recovering and healing.

Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation or call (727) 381-2300.