How to Effectively Handle Auto Injuries

Auto injuries can be very severe and painful. We treat many Annapolis auto injuries in our office. Many different types of injuries can occur in an automobile accident. In very unfortunate situations, auto accidents can even result in death. While some people say it is just safer to stay off of the roads, this is hardly a practical solution. Defensive driving can help you to avoid accidents in some cases, but sometimes accidents are inevitable.

The following is a guide to help you in the unfortunate event that you experience auto injuries.

Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, more than 12 million automobile accidents are reported each year. Here are some statistics that may surprise you:

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over a third of the people involved in automobile accidents suffer from some type of injury.
• Approximately 20 percent of people who suffer from auto injuries get worse over time, instead of getting better.
• Approximately 10 percent of people who suffer from auto injuries end up being permanently injured
• While these statistics may be alarming, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk of permanent injury after an automobile accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident

After an automobile accident, you may have a lot of things on your mind. Of course, you will want to begin by making sure that no one has sustained any life threatening injuries. Even if it appears that any injuries are minor, the paramedics and police should be called, just to be on the safe side.

Once law enforcement personnel have arrived on site, it is important to exchange insurance information and report what happened. This will help in determining who was at fault for the accident. In many cases, the driver who is at fault will be responsible for the damages and medical expenses.

Next, you will want to make sure that you visit the doctor to check for any injuries that may not be readily apparent. Sometimes, injuries can occur that you don’t realize until a few days or weeks later. Whiplash is one of these common injuries, and are often sustained in rear-end auto accidents.

If you have any sort of neck or back pain, you want to make sure that you start physical therapy and chiropractic treatment as soon as possible to help speed up your recovery.

Types of Injuries and Symptoms

Did you know that significant whiplash occurs in a car accident, even in a 10-mile-an-hour fender-bender with no damage to the car! A variety of different bodily injuries can occur from automobile accidents. Here are the five most common types of injury sustained.

Back and Neck Injury

The most common type of back or neck injury is whiplash. This occurs when your neck goes forward and backward quickly and forcefully. Such a violent motion can lead to severe neck pain that can last quite some time if it is not treated effectively. Other injuries of the back and neck involve bulged or slipped disks. When you experience an automobile accident, your disks can come under too much pressure and bulge out of place, sometimes even putting pressure on nerves. Usually, an MRI can rule out an injured intervertebral disk. Some of these symptoms can also include pain that radiates into the outer extremities.

For more information on neck pain click here.

Spinal Cord Injury

Another serious injury that can occur as a result of an automobile accident is spinal cord injury. This type of injury can lead to paralysis. If you experience any numbness or loss of function after an accident, you will want to test for a spinal cord injury as quickly as possible.

Head and Brain Injury

A variety of different head and brain injuries can occur during an auto accident. These include concussions, contusions, fractures, and hematomas. If you have a head injury, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Vision impairments
• Fatigue

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician at once.

Shoulder Injury

During an automobile accident, shoulder injury is very common. This can be caused by the force of the seatbelt, the shock on a person’s arms against the steering wheel, or a direct side impact. The most common shoulder injury is a torn rotator cuff, which is often signaled by a lack of full range motion in the shoulder. This can be very painful, and can also require surgery for a complete recovery.

Knee Injury

Another type of injury that is common during an auto accident is a knee injury. This is often caused by being slammed into the dashboard upon impact. The symptoms of knee injury include either pain or a grinding sensation. A variety of ligaments in the knee can be torn or damaged as well. It is important to seek treatment right away for a knee injury.

Chiropractic Treatment

If you have sustained an auto injury that is related to your neck or back, you will almost certainly benefit from chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors can help to reduce the level of strain on your back and neck, which will in turn help you to make a speedy recovery, especially from whiplash. Chiropractors use various techniques and forms of physical therapy that can be useful in recovering from the acute pain of your injury, but more importantly, prevent your injuries from becoming long-term problems.

Chiropractic adjustments can also be a great continuing treatment long after the auto accident. Pain from auto injuries can recur from time to time, but regular visits to the chiropractor can help to lessen the frequency of these instances.

For more information on treatments visit our auto injury page.