According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 6 million motor vehicle accidents are reported on American roads annually, and if you’re in one of the unlucky 2 million that will result in injuries, you may still be dealing with the pain and anguish of the physical strain from the impact. Even a minor collision can exert major forces on the body, and symptoms of even the most serious injuries can take a long time to present. From concussions and whiplash to back injuries, these are the most common long-lasting car accident injuries.
Head Injuries
One of the most common injuries suffered by drivers and passengers is an injury to the head or brain. While the vehicle is brought to a sudden stop because of a collision, your head and body will keep moving in their original direction and at their original speed until they are stopped by something else, like the seatbelt, steering wheel, a window, airbag, headrest or dashboard. Even if there are no immediate signs of physical trauma, like cuts or bruises, serious trauma can happen to the brain from hitting the inside of the skull, resulting in concussions or more traumatic brain injuries.
Whiplash or Neck Injuries
Whiplash is the most common “soft-tissue” car accident injury, effecting the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the neck when the head is forcefully thrown forward and back. Most cases of whiplash are a result of rear-end collisions of less than 14 miles per hour, but when the speeds increase, so can the severity of the injuries. Cervical dislocation or disc injuries to vertebrae in the neck can leave you paralyzed, or in mild cases, cause numbness in the hands and arms.
Back Injuries
The impact of a sudden collision can cause major back injuries and other damage to the torso. Because a seatbelt is designed to hold the body in place, the upper body can twist around the shoulder belt while the lower body is held in place by the lap belt. The resulting torque can cause muscle strain, sprains, fractures to the ribs or vertebrae, disc injuries, and worse, spinal cord injuries. The Mayo Clinic reports that “auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries annually, accounting for more than 35 percent of new injuries.” Just like with neck injuries, the worst pain resulting from back injuries can take days to present and tend to be long lasting and difficult to resolve.
Do you have Car Accident Injury Care in place?
After the initial impact of a car accident and being evaluated for severe injury by a medical professional, making sure you have reliable car accident injury care is essential to a speedy recovery. If you’re experiencing any lasting pain or discomfort, Health Star Clinic’s caring team can provide safe and effective pain management, chiropractic care and physical therapy to get you on the road to healing. Contact us today for a customized treatment plan.