Are you wondering whether you experienced an injury in your car accident?
Millions of people are in car accidents every single year. These are serious accidents that lead to consequences. Some may not realize it, but this can result in serious car accident injuries–even death.
What must happen for some kind of injury to occur is for someone to get into a collision with another driver in a way that causes their car to roll over.
What kind of injuries could rollovers cause? Keep reading to find out!
Neck and Back injury
Car accidents of all severity can cause neck and back injuries due to the forces generated. Often these injuries manifest as pain and stiffness. Neck and back injuries are most commonly caused when the neck and upper back are forcefully and suddenly thrown forward and backward in a rapid momentum of movement.
This is referred to as whiplash and can cause severe disruption to the surrounding muscle tissue, ligaments, and tendons, as well as the discs that cushion the vertebrae. In addition to neck and back sprains, whiplash can also cause damage to the nerves that run through the spine.
These injuries can lead to debilitating pain and long-term damage if not treated properly. Along with strains and sprains, a car accident can result in a vertebral fracture and disc herniation. This is where the inner disc material bulges out and presses against the nerves exiting the spinal cord.
Depending on where the spinal cord injury was located along the spine, the long-term effects can vary. It is important to immediately see a doctor. Medical professionals from Atlas Spine and Rehab can treat these back pain after car accident injuries, and help prevent long-term complications from occurring.
Emotional Distress
Car accidents can cause several different injuries, both physical and emotional. Emotional distress is one of the most common car accident injuries, due to the traumatic nature of the experience. Victims can suffer from depression, anxiety, nightmares, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition to a decrease in quality of life, emotional distress can also lead to financial burdens due to costs of medical treatment and time lost from work. It is extremely important to take care of oneself following an accident, both physically and mentally.
Seeking the help of a professional if necessary – such as a therapist – can help to start the healing process. Lastly, talking to a supportive friend or family member can help to both decrease feelings of isolation and to let off some of the emotional build-up.
Broken Bones
The most common car accident injuries come from broken knees and ligaments. This kind of injury can be very painful and cause long-lasting issues. When forced to twist or bend suddenly, these connective tissues that design our joints and keep them intact are vulnerable to tear and ripping.
Additionally, a car accident injury can cause broken bones, which are hard to replace and heal. Broken bones are some of the most common car accident injuries, and they can cause a lot of discomfort. In some cases, these injuries can even leave a person permanently disabled.
It is important to always be cautious while driving, as even light impacts can cause immense damage to the vehicle as well as the passenger’s body. Additionally, it is advised to always wear a seatbelt to ensure a safer drive.
Internal Organ Damage
Car accidents can be extremely traumatic and can cause significant internal organ damage. Internal organ damage can occur when a person’s organs are consumed by the force of the accident. Also, it can happen when an object penetrates the body, causing a variety of injuries to the intestines, stomach, liver, and other organs inside the body.
In some cases, these injuries can be incredibly severe and may require extensive surgery and a long period of recovery. Additionally, internal organ damage may result in long-term disability or even death. Motorists are advised to practice safe driving and wear a seatbelt at all times.
Nerve and Brain Damage
Nerve and brain damages are two of the most common car accident injuries. This occurs when a person’s head forcefully strikes an object such as a steering wheel, dashboard, window, or impact point from another vehicle during the accident, causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
TBI can cause swelling of the brain, loss of consciousness, and an array of symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, memory loss, difficulty speaking, and impaired cognitive function. Depending on the intensity of the accident, the victim may also end up with permanent nerve damage, usually in the spinal cord.
The consequence of this is permanent disability, partial or total paralysis, and chronic pain. The use of seat belts and other safety measures lessens the incidence of nerve and brain damage in car accidents. Therefore, individuals must wear their seatbelts at all times when traveling in a car to reduce their risk of sustaining nerve and brain damage.
Lacerations
Lacerations are a cut or tears in the skin that can be deep or shallow. Lacerations can happen to almost any part of the body, as the body is jolted by a vehicle collision. The skin can be cut by jagged edges in the car or exposed shards of glass.
Lacerations can cause a bleed that can be dangerous and require medical attention. It is important to immediately clean the wound, to avoid the risk of infection. Often, lacerations require stitches to close the wound and ensure that it heals properly and the scarring is minimal.
In extreme cases, lacerations to the face or head can lead to permanent damage such as facial nerve injury so it is important to wear safety gear and a helmet at all times. It is important to get a full and thorough medical check after a car accident to ensure that you can recover fully.
Avoid Car Accident Injuries Today
Car accidents are a top cause of injury and death in our society. Everyone must know the most common car accident injuries so that they may recognize the symptoms in subsequent accidents. Seek medical help if needed, and remember to drive safely and responsibly. Drive defensively – don’t become a statistic!
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