Beyond Broken Bones: New Study Finds Car Crashes Trigger Long-Term Physical and Mental Harm

A new U.S. roadway safety study from Vaziri Law LLP finds that the impact of motor-vehicle crashes extends far beyond the moment of collision, with survivors often facing long recovery timelines, chronic pain, and lasting mental health consequences. In 2023, the United States recorded 6,138,359 reported car crashes, leading to 40,901 deaths and 2,442,581 injuries—a scale of harm that translates to five people injured every minute.

The study focuses not only on how often crashes happen, but what they do to the human body and mind—highlighting the most common injury types, the hidden internal mechanisms that make crashes uniquely damaging, and the psychological after-effects that can linger long after physical wounds are treated.

What happens to the body in a crash: the “three collisions.”

According to the study, crash forces unfold in rapid stages, often described as the “three collisions.” First, the vehicle strikes an object. Second, the occupant’s body strikes the interior of the vehicle. Third, internal organs continue moving and collide with the inside of the body, creating hidden trauma even when the vehicle’s exterior shows limited damage.

This is why seemingly “minor” crashes can still cause significant injury. Even at speeds many drivers consider manageable, the human body experiences abrupt deceleration forces that strain the neck, spine, and connective tissues. The report notes that soft-tissue injuries like whiplash are exceptionally common and frequently underestimated in recovery timelines.

The most common crash injuries, and why they matter

The study identifies a wide range of crash injuries, including those that lead to prolonged medical care, missed work, and long-term disability.

• Soft-tissue injuries (whiplash, sprains, strains) account for an estimated 840,000 cases per year, representing roughly 77% of known major injury categories. These injuries can produce persistent pain, reduced mobility, and ongoing therapy needs—even after low-speed collisions.

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) remain a major burden, with roughly 218,900 emergency department visits each year due to crash-related TBIs. Rotational forces inside the skull can stretch or shear brain tissue, producing cognitive changes, mood disruption, memory issues, and neurological symptoms that may not fully resolve.

• Fractures are also significant, with an estimated 23,500 documented annual cases, reflecting the extreme forces generated when the body continues moving after the vehicle stops.

• Spinal cord injuries, while less common in raw numbers, represent some of the most life-altering outcomes. Road impacts account for a large share of new spinal cord injuries in the U.S., and even a small number of cases can carry enormous long-term care demands.

The report emphasizes that internal injuries, such as organ damage and internal bleeding, are often harder to quantify nationally but can be among the most dangerous due to delayed detection. These injuries are especially tied to the “third collision,” where organs strike internal structures during rapid deceleration.

The overlooked epidemic: psychological trauma after crashes

While physical injuries are treated immediately, the study stresses that mental health harm is often delayed, underdiagnosed, and dismissed—despite being common and costly.

The research highlights that 22% to 32% of motor-vehicle crash survivors develop PTSD symptoms, including intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, panic while driving, and avoidance behaviors that can disrupt daily life. The study also notes that 17.4% of survivors report depressive symptoms, frequently tied to pain, financial strain, lost independence, and disrupted routines.

Even individuals who suffer “minor” physical injuries may face long-lasting emotional distress. The study cites evidence that up to half of crash survivors continue to experience psychological distress a year later, including anxiety, sleep issues, fear of driving, and concentration problems, symptoms that can quietly harm work performance, relationships, and caregiving responsibilities.

The national cost of crash-related mental health consequences

The report emphasizes that emotional trauma is not only a personal burden; it is a national economic one. Crash-triggered mental health conditions contribute to enormous losses, including reduced productivity, medical treatment needs, and long-term disability impacts. The study cites combined annual costs exceeding $700 billion for crash-associated mental health conditions, including significant shares tied to PTSD, depression, disrupted sleep, and anxiety disorders.

The conclusion is direct: treating crash recovery as “purely physical” leaves millions of survivors without full care—and can prolong recovery by worsening pain, reducing rehabilitation engagement, and triggering avoidance behaviors that isolate people from normal routines.

Why this matters for prevention and recovery systems

With more than 2.4 million injuries in a single year, the study argues that post-crash response must evolve. Emergency care is only the first stage. The real burden often appears later, in physical therapy, neurological follow-ups, pain management, missed workdays, and mental health treatment needs.

The study calls for greater public awareness that:

• A crash can cause serious injury even at moderate speeds

• Brain and internal injuries may be invisible at first

• Psychological trauma is common and should be treated as a legitimate part of recovery

About the Study
This report analyzes the medical and psychological consequences of U.S. motor-vehicle crashes, including common injury categories, crash force mechanisms, and post-crash mental health outcomes.