No matter how much of a cautious driver you may be, an accident may, and could happen. Aside from obvious damages to the vehicle, an auto collision may threaten the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all persons involved.
Nevertheless, in every collision, the priority should be the health and safety of both the drivers and passengers. Hence, immediate medical help is critical. The danger with some injuries in auto collisions is that it may take a few days for symptoms to show up. Experienced attorneys from a professional law firm exclaim that there are several medical issues that occur due to a car accident. Listed below are just some of the most common ones:
Neck Injuries
Most people refer to this as whiplash, an all-encompassing term for neck muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries. This is triggered by the sudden backward and/or forward jerking motion of the head upon collision in an accident.
This quick jerking movement may inflict traumatic injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Whiplash may cause damage to the bones located between the vertebrae, or the intervertebral joints, as well as the discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots. Although a whiplash rarely causes bone breakage; it can still be very painful for the patient. Neck injuries would also typically take a long time to heal.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Sometimes, the strong impact of a crash may cause damage to the spinal cord or the nerves connected to the spinal canal, causing the affected motorist to suffer from temporary or permanent paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries often inflict changes in the strength, sensation, as well as other physiological functions in and around the injury area. A serious spinal problem may cause paraplegia and/or quadriplegia, which refer to the partial and complete loss of movement in the limbs.
This type of injury more often than not causes serious implications in the mental, emotional and social confidence of the patient. Oftentimes, it can lead to permanent disability.
Back Pain and Injuries
Due to potential damage in the spinal cord, those who figure in car collisions may also suffer from back pains and potential injuries. Your backside is not built to withstand high-impact injuries, that’s why they’re sensitive to strong crashes and bumps. Like internal bleeding, back problems may manifest sometime later following the car crash.
Aside from seeking immediate medical care for visible injuries, it helps to consult with other healthcare specialists for persistent back pains and other problems such as Kessler Spine & Rehab. Here’s a great post to read about the advantages of seeing a chiropractor for your injuries.
Head Injuries
In some cases, a car collision may lead to traumatic brain injuries, a serious form of brain damage that may cause long-term or permanent damage to basic and complex brain functions. At its onset, head injuries may cause sleep disorders and insomnia, or severe headaches.
Individuals involved in an accident should always consider having their head checked by a specialist to ensure that it’s not negatively affected by the strong impact coming from the car crash. If not treated immediately, head injuries may lead to complications that force you to endure the pain of living with a disability for the time being.
Fractures
Light to moderate impact from vehicle collisions may cause the bones in specific parts of your body to break. Automobile crashes impact your body in many ways. When your soft tissues and bones are pushed violently sideways, backward, forward, or in all directions, these often result in fractures to the shoulders, wrists, arms, legs, and ribcage.
Your ribcage may be one of the most sensitive bones in your body. Broken ribs are quite common following a heavy impact. As with other injuries, fractures can be very painful and take a very long time to heal. In extreme cases, car collision injuries can also lead to amputation.
Internal Bleeding
Most people make the mistake of not seeking medical attention following a car crash because “they feel just fine”. If you’re involved in a vehicle mishap, never skip going to the hospital to rule out injuries and damages, as some of the symptoms may take some time to show. Case in point? Internal bleeding.
Common injuries manifest in the form of bruises, cuts, redness, swelling, and bleeding. Internal bleeding, however, is less obvious. If you think you may have suffered from internal bleeding after a car crash, have yourself checked by a medical specialist immediately to prevent serious complications and other life-threatening conditions.
Mental Health Issues
Anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly undetected but are common among people who are involved in a car accident, especially incidents that include deaths. Temporary or permanent paralysis can also cause psychological and emotional anguish for an individual.
Aside from physical therapy, family members should also care for the mental health of the victim to further aid his or her full recovery. Lending an open ear would help, but booking a session with a psychotherapist would be great too.
Final Thoughts
Vehicle collisions, whether minor or significant, costs more than just money. It can cost you your health, peace of mind, and physical integrity. In the event of a vehicular accident, immediate medical help is critical to avoid short-term and long-term physical, emotional, and psychological damages. Always remember that driving is a privilege and not a right. So, before you hit the road, always put safety first.
Article edited and fact checked by our editorial team