The impact of a car accident can create almost any kind of injury, but at the Injury Centers of Brevard, here are a few of the most common injuries and symptoms we see and treat in our patients. Please contact us for help if you’re experiencing: Whiplash Whiplash is a neck injury resulting from the sudden back-and-forth jolting of the neck. Specifically, whiplash occurs when there is an acceleration and deceleration movement to the cervical spine (the seven bones in your spine that surround your spinal cord) at least 10 mph. This causes the soft tissue like muscles and ligaments to stretch suddenly which can cause inflammation, soreness, and chronic pain. This is one of the most common auto accident injuries and can result from a mere fender-bender. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, disorientation, depression, and insomnia. Whiplash may also cause short term memory loss and difficulties with balance or walking for some time after the car crash or car accident. Concussion A concussion is a common car accident injury alongside whiplash. Concussions are an often-misunderstood injury that result from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This can happen in a car wreck when your head strikes against something inside of your vehicle like the steering wheel, windshield, moon roof, side door window etc., or outside of your car in a bike accident or pedestrian accident. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) which change how your brain functions for a period of time. Symptoms include loss of consciousness; changes in concentration levels; vision problems; moodiness, depression, mood swings; and sensitivity to light and sound. Bone fractures/broken bones A broken bone is a crack in the continuity of the bone. In some cases, one side of the bone can move relative to the other creating a displaced fracture. In more serious cases where the break completely goes through both sides of the bone, this is known as an open/compound fracture . This kind of break requires immediate attention from a medical professional for proper treatment and recovery. If left untreated, infected bones will further damage your body by releasing bacteria into your blood. Bone fractures are common in auto accidents, with the risk of higher severity of the fracture going up with the severity of the auto accident. Musculoskeletal injuries (stressed, strained, or torn muscles including ligaments and tendons) Musculoskeletal injuries are stressed, strained, or torn muscles including ligaments and tendons. These are common auto accidents that can occur even in minor accidents. Musculoskeletal injuries are more dangerous than they sound because the pulled or damaged muscles will not have proper support to hold up your skeleton system, causing joints to go out of alignment (a problem called subluxation). Back and spinal cord injuries, including nerve pain, and musculoskeletal misalignment Back and spinal cord injuries, including nerve pain, and musculoskeletal misalignment These are all common auto accidents that can happen even in minor accidents. Examples of musculoskeletal injuries are ligamentous sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, subluxation of the spine, arthritis, trismus (lockjaw), dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions), and radiculopathy (pinched nerve). Musculoskeletal injuries can be treated with rest, ice or heating packs to relieve pain, elevation to reduce swelling if there is any present, immobilization if necessary, and physical therapy. If you have strained a muscle or pulled a tendon your doctor might give you crutches for 1-2 weeks to rest the injured area.