Personal injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. From minor cuts and bruises to life-altering conditions, injuries take a massive toll on our health and finances. Recognizing the most common personal injuries can help you take proactive measures to prevent them and understand your legal rights if an accident occurs. In such situations, a personal injury attorney can be an essential resource, helping you figure out what to do next. Below are the five most common personal injuries in the United States, along with an overview of their causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are the most frequent personal injuries, accounting for nearly half of all injuries annually. Many sprains result from falls, which remain a leading cause of workplace injuries. In fact, falls from the same level make up around 17% of disabling workforce injury costs in the United States as of 2024, highlighting their significant impact. Sprains occur when ligaments, the bands of tissue that connect bones, are overstretched or torn. Strains happen when muscles or tendons are overused and damaged.
Ankle and wrist sprains are particularly common, often caused by falls, twisting, or sports. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help sprains and strains heal. Gentle stretching and over-the-counter pain medicine also provides relief. Severe sprains may require immobilization and physical therapy.
Cuts and Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations are the second most prevalent personal wounds. Lacerations are deeper tears in the skin, while cuts do not penetrate as far. Minor cuts can be treated at home with proper wound care. Steri-strips or stitches may close large lacerations.
Watch for signs of infection, like increasing redness, swelling, oozing, fever, and streaks coming from the wound. Infected lacerations need medical treatment with prescription antibiotics. Get immediate help for severe bleeding that cannot be stopped with direct pressure.
If a defective product like glass or metal caused your cut, talk to a lawyer right away. Companies can be held liable for dangerous products leading to injury.
Broken Bones
Preventable injuries rank as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, but many accidents result in serious but non-fatal injuries—like fractures. However, not all accidents result in death. Fractures are a common injury, especially among the elderly and athletes. Broken bones occur when an outside force overpowers the strength of a bone. Falls, auto accidents, and sports collisions often cause fractures.
Seek emergency care for suspected broken bones. X-rays will diagnose the location and severity of the fracture. Casts, splints, surgery, and physical therapy properly align healing bones.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) arise from major external forces like blows to the head and car crashes. Effects range from temporary disorientation to coma and permanent disability. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and confusion.
TBIs require immediate emergency care to check for bleeding or swelling inside the skull. Medications, therapy, and sometimes surgery promote healing. Expect a long recovery for significant TBIs.
Burn Injuries
Although reports show employer injury cases decreased by 8.4% between 2022 and 2023, they are still fairly common. Burns injure skin, muscles, and internal organs when exposed to heat, chemicals, electricity, and radiation. Mild sunburns and small scalds may heal at home. Severe burns need hospital intensive care.
Severe burns can lead to complications such as blisters, redness, shock, and breathing difficulties—prompt medical attention is critical. Call 911 for large, deep burns. Remove smoldering clothes and cool burns with running water. Never put ice directly on a burn.
While no two personal injuries are exactly alike, understanding common types empowers smarter prevention and faster treatment when accidents strike. In these cases, an experienced personal injury attorney can fight to recover damages and ease your financial stress so you can focus on healing.
