Auto accidents happen all the time, every single day, all around the world. While we hope that you have never been personally involved in an accident, we can offer the help you need should you ever find yourself in need. There are some common auto accident injuries that we will look at today to help you more clearly identify what you might experience after a car accident. If you recognize any of the symptoms or injuries listed, then please contact Wellspring Health in Orange City, Daytona Beach, or Altamonte Springs today. We care about your health.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a word that most people are familiar with even if they’ve never experienced it. It is one of the most common injuries that people sustain in a traffic collision. When a vehicle comes to a sudden stop or suddenly makes a sharp turn, the drastic change in motion can cause your neck to essentially whip back and forth rapidly, which causes neck pain and stiffness. Without proper treatment, this type of injury can lead to a loss of range of motion, and worsening pain over time.
Concussion
A concussion is the term for a brain bruise. Your brain is very well protected by the thick bones of your skull and the fluid that it floats in. If you sustain a serious head injury, then your brain will experience trauma from hitting the inside of the skull, which can lead to a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, seeing “stars”, hearing a ringing in your ears, and more. It is important that you have a medical professional evaluate the severity of your concussion to avoid further injuring your brain.
Chest Injuries
Injuries to the chest commonly present as broken ribs, internal bruising, or even internal bleeding. These are typically caused by the force exerted from your seat belt keeping from flying forward, and the airbag preventing you from slamming your head into the steering wheel.
Back Injuries
Earlier, we looked at how whiplash affects your head and neck in an auto accident. It can also greatly impact your back by causing compression fractures in your spine. Other serious back injuries that might occur are herniated discs, ligament laxity, and spinal cord injuries.
Bone Fractures
While any bones can be broken in a car accident, the most common breaks tend to occur in the extremities of your body, including hands, arms, feet, and legs. In collisions where you are hit from behind while driving, the force from the impact can cause the bones in your hands, wrists, and arms to break because of their natural position on the steering wheel.
Knee Trauma
Sometimes a car accident can be strong enough to force your knees into the dashboard of your car. When this happens, your ligaments and kneecap can be injured enough that you will need braces, crutches, or even surgery to repair the damage.
Delayed Pain
Not all injuries will create immediate pain responses, which is why it is vital that you have a medical professional evaluate you after an accident. Depending on the severity of the crash, the position you were in, and a number of other factors, you may have internal injuries with no outward manifestations. Don’t assume that because you don’t see any obvious signs of injury that your body is completely fine.
Auto accidents happen all the time for a number of different reasons. Even if you wear your seat belt and your car has airbags, you can still be seriously injured in a traffic collision. If you are struggling with pain due to a car accident, or any other type of accident, then please contact Wellspring Health in Orange City, Daytona Beach, or Altamonte Springs to learn some of the ways in which we can treat your pain.