Car accident injuries can be as diverse and varied as the types of crashes they cause. How you are positioned in the car, what you are hit with, and whether your seatbelt is on (we hope you always are!). Your body’s reaction to collision force will depend on many factors. Even in minor accidents, injuries can still be serious. It is crucial to seek the help of an auto accident doctor immediately after an accident. This will ensure that injuries are treated properly and quickly. You should keep an eye on your body and mind for the next few weeks as some symptoms may not be immediately obvious.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common car accident injury. Whiplash occurs when your car suddenly stops or turns. This causes the neck to “whip”, which can cause pain and injury to your muscles and tendons. You should look for signs such as neck pain, stiffness, loss in the range of motion, or worsening pain with movement. While whiplash can heal in some cases, others may be more severe. You can get additional care from a trained physician.
Concussion
Your head can be thrown around and cause a concussion. Even if your head is not in direct contact with anything, it can be a serious injury. Although you may feel symptoms immediately, such as headaches, dizziness, temporary loss of consciousness, headaches, and head pressure, it could take several hours for the signs to manifest. A concussion can cause serious brain damage. If you have difficulty with focus, memory, concentration, or memory, consult a doctor.
Bone Fractures
Broken bones can result from the blunt force of the collision or compression in a car accident. Broken bones can occur in any bone, but the most common include the extremities (hands, arms, feet, and legs). The force of impact can cause bones to fracture in the arms, wrists, and hands of drivers in rear-end accidents. This is especially true if the driver is seated on the steering wheel. You may notice swelling, redness, and bruising as well as loss of function, severe pain, and deformity. Your doctor will determine the best treatment depending on the severity of the break.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Whiplash is a whiplash injury that affects the neck, shoulders, and back. However, musculoskeletal injuries are any damage to muscles, ligaments, or nerves in your body, which were compressed, stretched, or bent as a result of an accident. They can be as severe as broken bones and may limit your ability for simple tasks, depending on how severe they are. A soft-tissue injury could be characterized by pain that gets worse with activity, inflammation, and redness, as well as swelling. To avoid permanent damage, consult an experienced physician.
Emotional Injuries
While physical injuries may be obvious right away, emotional injuries that result from a car accident deserve professional attention. An accident can cause anxiety and depression. These emotions should resolve in a few days. If you feel anxious or have trouble avoiding the site where the crash occurred, you should consult a doctor who specializes in treating car accident injuries and trauma.
This article was written by an Auto Injury Doctor at Florida Medical Pain Management. Florida Medical Pain Management is proud to offer comprehensive pain management services to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.