10 Most Common Injuries Stemming from Car Accidents in Ontario

Millions of people will be affected by a car accident in their lifetime. In Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation has collected data regarding the most common injuries from car accidents in the province requiring hospitalization. In the Ministry of Transportation’s most recent report, 215,533 collisions occurred in 2010 alone. Of those injured in a motor vehicle accident, 4,650 required admission to a hospital.

The 10 most common injuries that required hospitalization after a car accident in Ontario in 2009/10 were:

• Fracture of the lower limb (26 percent) – Broken legs are a common type of injury after a car accident, and are usually caused by parts of the vehicle pushing forward into the car after a collision and injuring the legs.
• Fracture of the neck and trunk (17 percent) – Neck and trunk fractures usually involve trauma to vertebra, which may or may not involve a spinal cord injury.
• Intracranial injuries (14 percent) – Intracranial injuries involve bleeding on the brain, concussions, increased pressure or swelling, or other serious complications.
• Fracture of the upper limb (10 percent) – Broken arms and collarbones can occur after impact with steering wheels or even from wearing a seatbelt.
• Internal injuries (8 percent) – Internal injuries can be the result of objects penetrating the body, force of trauma from the collision, or crushing injuries that can occur when a victim is trapped by parts of the vehicle.
• Death (3 percent) – The Ministry of Transportation reports that 4.38 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents for every 100,000 people in Ontario. Unfortunately, this makes death one of the more common results of car accidents in the province.
• Fracture of the head (2 percent) – Skull fractures can be caused by flying debris or the head striking a window, windshield, or other object in the vehicle. Facial fractures may be the result by impact with a steering wheel.
• Open wounds (2 percent) – Many accident victims suffer some cuts and lacerations in an accident, but two percent sustained wounds serious enough to require hospitalization.
• Dislocation, sprains and strains (2 percent) – Strained shoulders, wrists, ankles and knees can result from being thrown around a vehicle during a collision.
• Other (19 percent) – There are many other injuries which require hospitalizations. Whatever the injury, accident victims can pursue statutory accident benefits to help cover their medical treatment among other things. Furthermore, victims may also pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover further compensation for damages including pain and suffering and lost wages.

Call Preszler Injury Lawyers If You Were Injured in a Car Accident

If you have been injured, even if your injuries did not require hospitalization, you may be entitled to benefits. The lawyers at Preszler Injury Lawyers represent victims of motor vehicle accidents and will work to get you the money you need. Call 1-800-JUSTICE® or fill out our online evaluation form to set up your free initial consultation.