Marcus Richards
Have you or a loved one been in a car accident? Are you worried about injuries that take a long time to heal?
There are several common car accident injuries that you should be aware of. And it’s critical to have them examined by a medical professional right away.
Here’s what you should know about.
1. Whiplash
Your body is moved quickly during an accident. It can strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons without breaking any bones.
Symptoms of whiplash include muscle pain and stiffness, headaches, and loss of range of motion around the neck. It can get treated with pain medication, physical therapy, and exercise.
Some folks recover from whiplash within a few weeks. Others, however, experience pain that lasts longer and leads to other complications.
2. Cuts and Scrapes
Painful cuts and scrapes can occur from direct impact. You may also get them as a result of projectiles flying, including shards of glass or a cell phone.
Emergency rooms treat minor scrapes and cuts by cleaning the wound and applying antibiotic ointment. You’ll want, however, to watch the area for signs of infection. These include redness, pain, warmth, or swelling.
More serious cuts and scrapes could result in a loss of blood and may require stitches.
In some cases, your insurance may not cover the full cost of recovering from your injuries. Many people seek the help of a qualified car accident attorney to help them get the maximum amount they are entitled to for recovery.
3. Head Injuries
Head injuries after a car accident can range from mild to serious. If your head hits the steering wheel or side door, you could develop scrapes or bruises. There may even be deeper wounds.
In milder cases, a concussion could result. These could cause headaches, concentration problems, memory loss, and balance problems. Concussions are typically treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and rest.
In more severe cases, brain damage may occur. In these cases, there is a destruction or deterioration of brain cells. Symptoms include problems expressing thoughts, a short attention span, and difficulty processing information.
Brain damage is usually treated through physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support.
4. Broken Limbs
Broken limbs can result from a direct impact during a car accident. Oftentimes, your legs and arms don’t have much freedom to move, so they can sustain sprains and even breaks.
It’s critical to restrict the movement of a broken arm or leg so it can heal. The broken limb is usually placed in a splint or cast. You may require the use of a cane or crutches to get around.
5. Broken Ribs
When you are pushed forward or sideways in an accident, you could suffer broken ribs.
Broken ribs are usually treated without surgery, although it’s sometimes required. They are usually managed through pain medication, rest, and breathing exercises.
6. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is also common after car accidents and can affect employment. PTSD is a mental health condition that gets triggered by a traumatic event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
Treatments for PTSD include cognitive processing therapy, which allows the patient to write down in detail what happened and figure out new ways to live with it. It could also include inoculation training, which helps to destress the body and mind. PTSD could also be treated with medication.
7. Knee Trauma
Striking the knee on the dashboard can result in trauma to the knee or a damaged knee cap.
Oftentimes, a cast or splint is applied directly to the knee to prevent motion in the leg. Frequent X-rays can let you know how well the bone is healing.
Recently, electronic bone stimulation (EBS) is also used. This jump-starts healing by stimulating proteins that can repair bones at the site of injury.
Broken knees are also treated with physical therapies and medications.
8. Facial Injuries and Scars
Broken glass or impact with a steering wheel could result in facial injuries. Fractures could require metal braces that get fastened to the teeth with rubber bands or wires.
In some cases, patients may get referred to a plastic surgeon for additional treatment.
9. Shoulder Injuries
Many people will brace their hands against the steering wheel during a car crash. The shoulder will lock into position and sustain the force of the impact or collision.
Shoulder strains occur when there is a torn muscle or tendon in the shoulder. You could also experience a dislocated shoulder, which can pull muscles and tendons out of place.
During shoulder separation, your collarbone and shoulderblade get pushed apart. In this case, you may sustain a small bump at the top of your shoulder. Your shoulder could also get fractured, in which case you will notice bruising and sagging.
Common treatments for shoulder injuries include rest, heat, ice, or over-the-counter pain medications. In some cases, you may require a sling to hold your shoulder in place while it heals.
If symptoms from shoulder surgery do not don’t heal within a few months, you may require shoulder surgery. Seek the help of a qualified medical professional if your symptoms aren’t improving.
Recovering from Car Accident Injuries
It’s critical to know the symptoms of common car accident injuries after you’ve been in a crash. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to make sure you recover as quickly as possible. You’ll be back to your old self with the help of qualified professionals.
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