Whether you are in a major accident with multiple injuries or something really minor with little to no side-effects, there are certain injuries that you cannot neglect. Medical experts recommend that if you are in an accident, you need to visit your doctor for any internal injuries.
Many people across the world are suffering from chronic pain because they don’t get themselves treated on time after the accident. The ratio of car accidents has significantly improved over the years. If you are an American citizen, you know that the risk of being on the road is significantly high.
According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), more than 3 million Americans suffer injuries from car accidents every year. The injuries depend on the severity of the accident and how your car hits the other object.
Some injuries however are more common than the others. In this article, we will talk about some of the most common injuries that literally every other person has suffered from one way or the other. After that, we will also talk about some preventative measures that one can take to avoid car accidents.
Common Injuries after Car Accidents
Soft Tissue Injuries
Probably the most common injury. Regardless of whether you are in a car accident at 100 mph or a minor bump at 20 mph, soft tissues are always damaged. As you suffer from a soft tissue injury, the connective tissues are damaged and this also results in damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. There are many types of soft tissue injuries but whiplash is the most common one.
A whiplash injury mainly refers to soft tissue damage in the neck. It causes pain to the upper back and the neck. Whiplash normally occurs when the neck is moved forward and backward in a sudden jerk. If left untreated, whiplash can actually develop into chronic long-lasting pain that many people end up suffering for years.
Nerve Damage
It is always possible to get your nerves damaged even in the most minor accidents. Nerve damage is perhaps one of the worst kinds of injuries because it is something that can result in permanent damage if not treated on time.
Usually, the nerves are pressurized, cut, or stretched too wide which results in intense damage to the nerves. Even basic injuries like whiplash are a threat to nerves as the nerves are significantly injured due to the abrupt motion of the head and the neck. This is one of the major reasons why many people seek treatment for neuropathy after being in a car accident.
Doctors usually recommend pain-relieving shots and therapy to fully recover from this issue.
Cuts and Bruises
When you are in an accident, the loose objects in the car act as projectiles and are thrown around in different directions. Even people can easily lose their balance and bump into each other. If you hit yourself on the different surfaces of the car or objects like coffee mugs, books, glasses or cellphones come tumbling on your face at a rapid motion, you are bound to get cuts and bruises on the body.
It’s obvious that most of the time when the objects are small, these injuries are not that bad. However, in case of serious injuries, you can suffer from blood loss and even get stitches. Now, this might be surprising but most of the people also get injured if the airbag opens in their vehicle.
Brain Damage and Head Injuries
Traumatic head injuries can come in many different forms, some of them quite mild and others very serious. The abrupt halt or changing of the path of a vehicle also causes the head of the vehicle passengers to encounter abrupt and abnormal motions. This may cause intense tension in the upper back as well as injuries to the skull. While minor accidents can actually result in some external bruises, more serious accidents can cause traumatic brain damage or closed head injuries. However, after sustaining even a minor brain injury in a car accident, it is essential to seek out the services of a reliable brain injury lawyer who will help you to navigate the complex legal process if needed and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. They will also work with you to create a plan for your future medical care and treatment, because brain injuries can often have long-term effects, including problems with memory, cognition, and motor function.
In this case, the fluids and tissue inside the brain are impaired due to the rapid movement or effect of the brain. Less extreme closed head injuries frequently result in concussions, whereas the more significant impacts can inflict brain injury. Many doctors recommend treatment for neuropathy in case of serious car accidents.
Chest Injuries
Chest fractures are also a frequent outcome of a car crash. These fractures commonly consist of lacerations or fractures, but it can be more serious, such as fractured ribs or severe bruising. Drivers also suffer chest injury due to their location behind the wheel, which provides very little free movement. When a person’s body is forced forward in a crash, even though it does not have an effect on the wheel or bumper, the chest region may also feel a high amount of force on the shoulder strap or seat belt, which may cause significant swelling.
Internal Bleeding
Although it is normal to undergo wounds in an injury, it is not always common to experience internal bleeding. Internal bleeding can be serious, particularly if it is not properly treated after the accident. It is necessary to obtain medical attention immediately with all but the slightest injuries. If there’s a risk that you might have had internal bleeding, it’s important to get critical procedures to make certain you don’t really have life-threatening wounds.
Mental Stress
All accidents do not result in physical damage. You may also suffer mental and emotional injuries as a result of an accident. Many people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and activities that used to be normal may become worrying and even unlikely. You will be able to recover from the mental condition and physical distress after a traffic crash.
Prevention from Car accidents
While you are on the road, you are vulnerable to injuries, you need to take safety precautions to avoid accident happening to you. There are a number of ways that one can protect oneself from this risk.
There are a few tips to keep yourself safe from injuries from car accidents. These tips are:
- Slowly pull into traffic if you are on a joining road. It’s not safe to abruptly become a part of the road where the traffic flow is heavy and fast.
- Don’t use any other thing while you are driving. Keep your focus entirely on the road and keep your hands on the wheel.
- Get your engine checked regularly and check the air pressure in the tires. Do not use damaged or punctured tires.
- Treat other drivers with respect. Don’t drive like you own the roads.
- Always stop at the traffic lights
- Use indicators properly
- Fasten seatbelts even on short routes
- Give your kids and pets the space on the back
Car accidents are quite common in America. More than 3 million people suffer from car accident injuries in their daily life and some of these injuries are very common. If you are involved in an accident, it is important that you get yourself tested by an accident doctor immediately. Not all people suffer from car accidents but those who do need to understand that professional treatment is immensely important in case of any underlying side-effects of the car accident.