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Guide · Car accidents · All states

Common car accident injuries

Updated By the Counselworthy teamGeneral information, not legal or medical advice

Short answer

  • Crashes led to over 2,800,000 emergency department visits in 2023, the CDC says.
  • Neck sprains and strains are the injuries most often reported in U.S. auto insurance claims, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
  • Crashes also cause back injuries, concussions and broken bones.
  • In New Jersey, your own PIP pays treatment first.

Checked October 19, 2026.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Transportation Safety; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS launches new whiplash prevention test (January 27, 2026); MedlinePlus, Back Injuries; MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid; MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Broken bone; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g). Every fact cites a source

Health facts here come from the CDC and MedlinePlus, not from a doctor who knows you. They aren't medical advice. If you're hurt, see a doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

Illustration: an empty clinic exam room at dusk, with a paper-covered exam table and a folded blanket on a chair

How common crash injuries are

Emergency department visits, 2023Over 2,800,000

For injuries from motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.

In auto insurance claimsNeck sprains and strains

The injuries most often reported in U.S. auto insurance claims. Rear impacts typically cause them.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Transportation Safety; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS launches new whiplash prevention test (January 27, 2026)

The injuries crashes often cause

Each has its own guide on when to get care, who pays and how it fits a claim.

Neck pain and whiplash

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck, also called a neck sprain or strain. Car accidents are a common cause of neck pain.

Source: MedlinePlus, Neck Injuries and Disorders
Back injuries

A sudden jolt like a car accident can cause sprains and strains, herniated disks or broken vertebrae.

Source: MedlinePlus, Back Injuries
Concussion and head injuries

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Traffic accidents are a common cause of head injuries, and symptoms can show up hours or days later.

Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
Broken bones

Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause. A suspected break in the head, neck or back, or in the hip, pelvis or upper leg, calls for emergency help.

Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Broken bone

When to get help right away

MedlinePlus lists these signs. If you're not sure, get checked.

  1. Someone is confused, tired or unconsciousCall emergency services right away, MedlinePlus says, as for a suspected serious head or neck injury.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  2. You can't move your arm or handAfter a neck injury, have someone call emergency services.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Neck pain
  3. Weakness or numbness in your legs, or loss of bladder or bowel controlAfter a back injury, contact your provider right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute
  4. A bone pushing through the skin, or severe bleedingGet emergency help for a suspected broken bone with either.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Broken bone

NJWho pays for treatment in New Jersey

NJYour own PIP first

Whoever caused the crash, up to $250,000 unless a lower amount was chosen in writing.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)
NJOr health insurance first, if you chose it

A policyholder can choose to have health insurance pay crash medical bills first. PIP then pays what it doesn't cover, up to the PIP limit.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(d); New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide
NJBills past PIP

Medical bills above your PIP limits, and lost income, can be claimed from the person at fault.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-12; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(k)
NJPain and suffering: the lawsuit limit

Unless a driver chose otherwise in writing, their policy allows it only after certain injuries, listed below.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
  1. Death
  2. Dismemberment
  3. Significant disfigurement or significant scarring
  4. Displaced fractures
  5. Loss of a fetus
  6. A permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement

NJThe deadlines in New Jersey

  1. Sue for an injury, in generalN.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)Within 2 years
  2. A government vehicle, like a town'sN.J.S.A. 59:8-8Notice within 90 days after the claim arises
Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a); N.J.S.A. 59:8-8; N.J.S.A. 59:8-9

Sources

General information, not legal or medical advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

What to do next

Questions people ask

What are the most common car accident injuries?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says neck sprains and strains are the injuries most often reported in U.S. auto insurance claims. MedlinePlus says a sudden jolt like a car accident can also cause back sprains, herniated disks or broken vertebrae, and traffic accidents are a common cause of head injuries.

Can car accident injuries show up later?

Yes. MedlinePlus says head injury symptoms can occur right away or develop slowly over several hours or days.

When should I go to the hospital after a car accident?

MedlinePlus says to call emergency services right away if someone is confused, tired or unconscious, can't move an arm or hand after a neck injury, or may have a broken bone in the head, neck, back, hip, pelvis or upper leg.

Who pays for car accident injuries in New Jersey?

Your own auto policy's PIP pays first, whoever caused the crash, unless you chose health insurance to pay first. Bills past your PIP limits can be claimed from the person at fault.

Which injuries allow a pain and suffering claim in New Jersey?

On a standard policy with the lawsuit limit, the injuries include a displaced fracture, significant disfigurement or scarring, dismemberment, and a permanent injury.

More on car accidents

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