Recovery From the 5 Most Common Car Accident Injuries
On average, there are about 16,438 car accidents across the United States per day and thousands more are injured when we account for passengers and pedestrians. While not everyone is injured in a car crash, there are a lot who are. The injuries range from mild to severe. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash, scrapes and bruises and broken bones are common injuries caused by car crashes.
If you are injured in a car accident, you should go in for a medical evaluation as soon as possible. The physician can perform visual and manual tests to confirm any injuries and the severity of the injuries you sustained. They may write a prescription for an x-ray, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or painkillers to help you manage the pain. In this post we discuss how to recover from common car accident injuries.
Recovery from the 5 most common car accident injuries
Medical information from aurorahealthcare.org gives insights into the most common injuries from accidents:
Head and brain injuries are common because drivers bang their head against the steering wheel, side window, roof or even a loose object inside the vehicle on impact. If you hit your head in a motor vehicle accident, you may have a concussion whether or not you are showing symptoms right away. See a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment and know that in most cases, symptoms go away within two-three weeks.
Facial injuries are common when faces hit the steering wheel, side window, airbag or a loose object. Cuts, loose teeth or broken bones are possible. If you experience any of these injuries, seek medical treatment. Know that broken bones can take several weeks to heal, even after proper treatment such as surgery.
Muscle strains and other soft tissue injuries can occur when we are whipped back and forth in a car accident. Rear or side-impact accidents commonly cause neck injuries such as whiplash. Whiplash may be treated with ice and painkillers. Full recovery from these types of injuries can take weeks to months.
Spinal cord and other back injuries can be very serious. Muscles and ligaments can be strained or pulled. If a vertebra pops out of place during an accident or if a bone is shattered, surgery may be needed. These injuries can result in reduced feeling or function loss in extremities. For a minor strain, ice and over the counter pain medication will likely do the trick. Serious back injuries can take weeks or months to heal and should be treated by a doctor or with a prescription to a chiropractor.
Collarbone and rib injuries can happen in high-impact car accidents where the person’s body weight slams into the shoulder belt. Anytime a broken bone is suspected, an x-ray should be conducted so proper treatment can be prescribed. Broken bones can take six to 16 weeks to heal.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
