by What Are the Different Types of Injuries That Result From Car Crashes?
Between 20 and 50 million people worldwide suffer non-fatal injuries after road crashes every year. Many injuries result in long-term disabilities. If you’re ever in a bad car accident, it’s important to visit a doctor right away.
A physician’s official assessment could benefit you if you plan on pursuing a lawsuit. If you wreck your first car, you can fight for compensation for all damages.
Here are a few types of injuries you might sustain after an accident. If these injuries sound familiar, don’t hesitate to seek help. Read on to learn more!
Headaches
Sometimes, headaches indicate you’re dehydrated, suffering from malnutrition, or experiencing oxygen deprivation. Many people shrug off a minor headache, expecting it to fade after time. As a first-time car buyer, however, you need to remain wary.
After a bad car accident, a small headache could indicate a bigger problem.
For example, you could throw your spine out of alignment after a crash. A misalignment could impact your blood’s ability to flow throughout the body. Without proper blood flow, injured areas won’t receive the nutrients you need to heal.
Oxygen might not reach your brain properly, either, leading to headaches and other complications.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to realign your spine alone. Avoid any do-it-yourself techniques you find online. These techniques could cause a serious disability or hospitalization.
Instead, make sure to visit a pain specialist or chiropractor after your crash. First, they’ll schedule an MRI to better understand the extent of your injuries. A chiropractor can use spinal manipulation techniques to put your spine back into alignment.
Then, they can ensure your body receives the oxygen and nutrients you need to heal properly.
Make sure to gather records from any physician or specialist you visit. Your car accident lawyer can use these reports when building your case. Then, you can receive compensation for your injuries or pain and suffering.
Back Pain
As you review these types of injuries after an accident, you might notice your back pain is flaring up. Back pain causes issues for nearly 65 million Americans. As the sixth most costly health condition in the US, it also impacts your quality of life.
Back pain could impact your mobility or ability to complete daily tasks.
You might struggle to play with your kids, sit in front of your computer to work, or relax.
If you’re suffering from back pain, don’t wait to visit a doctor or chiropractor. A chiropractor can ensure your musculoskeletal system is properly aligned. In fact, chiropractic adjustments could also:
- Improve your functionality
- Leave you less dependent on pain medication
- Reduce your risk of disability
- Reduce your pain intensity
Otherwise, consider finding other ways to ease pain and tension. For example, you might want to improve your work environment with ergonomic furniture. You might consider pairing chiropractic care with physical and massage therapy, too.
Neck and Shoulder Pain
After a bad car accident, you could experience neck and shoulder pain as well.
A sudden jolt of force, which often occurs during crashes, can cause internal damage to your shoulder or neck. You likely won’t recognize signs of external damage if you sustain these types of injuries.
Instead, you might notice:
- Tingling or numbness
- Reduced range of motion
- Muscle stiffness
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Paralysis
- Anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues
If these problems sound familiar, make sure to visit a doctor right away. They might schedule an X-ray to better understand the extent of your injuries.
For example, it’s possible you’ve sustained a soft tissue injury to a ligament, tendon, or muscle.
You might sustain a neck or spinal column injury, which usually occurs with tingling or numbness. A herniated disc can also cause these symptoms.
Whiplash
Whiplash can occur when a crash causes you to suddenly jerk forward, then back. This sudden whipping motion can also cause:
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
- Shoulder and arm pain
- Visual disturbances
Don’t hesitate to visit a doctor, even if it’s only your first car accident. Otherwise, you could experience complications after leaving whiplash untreated. These complications could include anxiety, insomnia, or stress.
A full medical assessment can help your doctor develop a customized treatment plan based on your needs.
Make sure to follow up with your doctor, too. Follow-up appointments can benefit your car accident lawsuit. Otherwise, opposing counsel might argue there was a gap in your care.
They might try to argue your injuries weren’t as serious as you initially claimed, too.
Keeping up with your appointments will ensure you have the records you need for your lawsuit. Your personal injury attorney will use these documents to prove the extent of your injuries and how they’ve impacted your quality of life.
Internal Bleeding
Many people walk away from car accidents with nothing more than bruises, scrapes, or a few small cuts. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize they’ve sustained an internal bleeding injury. These injuries are serious and require medical attention right away.
Visiting a doctor can ensure you’re not bleeding internally after the crash. Otherwise, your risk of life-threatening injuries could increase if you delay treatment.
Abdominal Pain
When left untreated, abdominal pain can also become life-threatening. In fact, abdominal pain could indicate you’ve sustained an internal bleeding injury. Abdominal pain is sometimes accompanied by:
- Lightheadedness
- Bruising
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Make sure to seek medical attention immediately after a bad car accident.
Broken Bones
In less severe crashes, you might walk away with a few broken bones.
For example, you could break your ribs due to the impact. This can occur if you’re shoved forward, backward, or sideways. You might break a hip, leg, arm, or shoulder bone, too.
Auto Accidents: 7 Types of Injuries to Get Checked Out For
Immediately after a bad car accident, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor. They can check you out for these different types of injuries. A professional assessment can help you avoid medical complications.
It can also help you file a lawsuit to fight for your losses.
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