Common Car Accident Injuries and Their Long-Term Effects

Some car accidents cause nothing but a dented fender. Others can significantly impact a person’s health, mobility, and ability to work. The force of a crash can break bones, damage nerves, or cause head injuries that linger for years. Even injuries that seem minor at first can turn into long-term pain that affects daily life.

At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, we have represented countless New Yorkers who found themselves facing ongoing medical bills, missed work, and lasting pain after a crash. Here is what to know about common car accident injuries and how they impact long-term health and recovery.

Head and Brain Injuries

Head injuries do not always leave visible scars, but they can disrupt memory, balance, and concentration. People may walk away from a crash believing they are okay, only to experience dizziness, headaches, or trouble concentrating days later.

Potential long-term effects of head injuries include:

• Trouble concentrating or remembering information,
• Chronic headaches or migraines,
• Sensitivity to light or noise, and
• Emotional changes, such as mood swings or depression.

Although a mild concussion might cause temporary confusion, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to long-term cognitive issues with speech, vision, or motor skills. According to the New York State Department of Health, motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of brain injuries in the state. Anyone experiencing dizziness, nausea, or memory problems after a crash should seek medical care immediately.

Neck and Back Injuries

Neck injuries like whiplash, a condition caused when the head jerks forward and back, often lead to months of stiffness, pain, and nerve damage. 

Serious spinal injuries are also common in car accidents. They can cause:

• Herniated discs that press on nerves, leading to numbness or weakness;
• Spinal fractures, which may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation; and
• Chronic lower back pain that limits movement and makes standing or sitting difficult.

People who suffer from long-term spine injuries often experience difficulty sitting for extended periods, bending over, or lifting objects. This can significantly restrict their job opportunities and daily routines.

Broken Bones and Joint Injuries

Car crashes frequently cause fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone. Some broken bones may heal with just a cast, while others require surgery, screws, or plates to hold the bone together.

Joint injuries can be even more disruptive. A torn knee ligament or a dislocated shoulder may never fully regain strength, potentially leading to:

• Reduced range of motion,
• Increased risk of arthritis, and
• Chronic instability in the joint.

For example, a torn rotator cuff might prevent a construction worker from lifting large objects. Similarly, the long-term damage from a fractured wrist might make it impossible for an office worker to type. Even after surgery, injuries can result in permanent limitations.

Internal Injuries

Injuries from a car accident often include internal damage that is not immediately visible. The force of impact can rupture organs, cause internal bleeding, and damage blood vessels. Common internal injuries include:

• Rib fractures, which can puncture a lung or cause difficulty breathing;
• Internal bleeding, which may lead to dizziness, fainting, or shock; and
• Organ damage, especially to the liver, kidneys, or spleen.

Anyone who feels weak or lightheaded or experiences abdominal pain after a crash should seek medical care immediately. Internal injuries often worsen over time, and delaying treatment can be life-threatening.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Muscle strains, ligament sprains, and deep bruising might not show up on X-rays, but they can cause ongoing discomfort for accident victims. These soft tissue injuries can lead to:

• Chronic pain in the neck, back, or shoulders;
• Tendon or ligament tears that may require surgery; and
• Deep contusions that limit movement and cause swelling.

For example, a torn ACL in the knee can take over a year to heal, requiring surgery and extensive physical therapy.

Psychological Trauma

Not all car crash injuries are physical. It is common for people to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression after a car wreck. Someone who once drove without worry may now suffer panic attacks at stoplights or flashbacks triggered by a honking horn.

Common signs of crash-related PTSD include:

• Nightmares or flashbacks about the accident,
• Fear of driving or riding in a car,
• Sudden anxiety in traffic, and
• Avoidance of certain roads or intersections.

Psychological trauma can affect work, relationships, and daily routines. Just like physical injuries, emotional damage requires treatment, whether through therapy or medication.

How Car Accident Injuries Affect Work and Daily Life

Many people with car wreck injuries find it harder to work, manage expenses, or live without assistance.

Common long-term effects of accident injuries include:

• Reduced earning potential—lost income in situations when injuries make returning to a previous job impossible;
• Ongoing medical expenses—surgeries, therapy, and medications that add up over time; and
• Limitations to daily activities—due to chronic pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and loss of strength.

The financial pressure of medical bills and lost wages often affects crash victims as severely as their injuries. For example, imagine a barista who has complications from a broken wrist after a car accident. If their injury is severe enough to prevent them from performing their job duties in the long term, they also face the stress of managing their daily expenses without income for the foreseeable future. 

What New York Law Says About Car Crash Injuries

New York operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning drivers must generally first file car crash injury claims with their own insurance companies, regardless of who caused the accident. However, certain injuries may qualify for additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Under New York law, a person may sue for additional damages after a car accident if they suffer a “serious injury,” such as:

• A fractured bone,
• Permanent loss of a body function,
• Significant disfigurement, or
• Injuries preventing normal activities for at least 90 days.

Knowing these qualifications helps ensure that injury victims do not accept an insurance settlement that does not reflect the full extent of their losses.

Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in NY Today

At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, P.C., we have seen how common car accident injuries impact people beyond their medical bills. Ongoing pain, lost income, and repeated medical visits make recovery harder than expected. That is why we push for full compensation—so our clients can focus on healing instead of worrying about expenses.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident, do not wait to get answers. Call Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, P.C. today for a free consultation. With offices across New York State, we are here to talk about your accident, your rights, and what comes next.