When you’re involved in a car accident, there are a multitude of short-term, long-term, immediate, and delayed injuries that you can sustain. Here’s a look at some of the most common injuries you might experience in a car accident, as well as the possible causes and treatments for each.
Bruising And Scarring
Bruising and scarring are the most common injuries you sustain when injured in a car accident. These injuries can occur from the impact of the accident itself, or from being thrown around inside the car. Bruising will cause swelling and discolouration on the skin, while scarring can result in permanent physical changes to the skin.
The treatment of these injuries depends on the severity. In most cases, mild bruising and scarring can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs. More serious injuries may require medical attention, but in most cases, they can be treated relatively easily with proper care.
Injuries To The Head And Neck
If you’re involved in a car accident that causes you to hit your head or neck, you can experience serious injuries. These injuries can include concussion, brain damage, and even cervical spine injury (which may require surgery). If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, please seek medical attention immediately.
Injuries To The Spine
When you’re involved in a car accident, your spinal cord may be injured. This type of injury is known as a cervical spine injury, and it can cause paralysis from the neck down. In order to maximize your chances of recovering from this type of injury, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible. Additionally, if there is any paralysis below the level of the neck, it may be necessary for you to use a wheelchair for the remainder of your life.
A spinal injury needs to be confirmed by a doctor in order to determine the extent of the damage. If you experience severe neck pain, difficulty breathing, or paralysis, seek immediate care.
Types of Fractures
Injuries that occur during a car accident can result in a variety of fractures. These fractures can range from broken bones to displaced vertebrae. It’s important to receive treatment for any fracture as soon as possible in order to maximize your chances of recovering fully.
Fractures and completely broken bones are quite different. A completely broken bone may require surgery to fix, and it may take months or even years for the bone to heal properly. Fractures, on the other hand, will often require only a few weeks of medical care to heal properly.
Tearing And Contusions
Injuries that occur during a car accident can also result in tearing and contusions. These are injuries to the skin and tissues near the injury, and they can often be painful. It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible in order to minimize the chance of developing an infection.
Muscles can also be injured in a car accident. This is particularly common in older adults, as the bones in their hips and spine may not protect them as well as they used to. Injuries to muscles can often result in pain and difficulty moving the affected body part.
Lacerated Arteries
One of the most serious injuries that can occur in a car accident is a laceration. This is an injury to the deep layers of skin near the body’s major blood vessels. A laceration may require stitches to close it, and it can often be very painful. If the laceration occurs in an area that’s exposed to water (such as the face), it may become infected.
Lacerated veins may also occur in a car accident. This is an injury to one or more of the large veins that carry blood from your legs to your heart. The veins can be injured by objects thrown during the accident, or they can rupture due to the impact of the car. If this happens, blood will flow freely into the surrounding tissues, and this can be very dangerous.
Infections
Infections can be a serious complication following a car accident. They can cause pain, swelling, and fever. If left untreated, infections can lead to sepsis or life-threatening pneumonia. It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible in order to prevent infection from developing.
Concussion
A concussion is a condition that occurs when your head is hit against something hard, such as the side of a building. When this happens, your brain may be injured. A concussion can cause memory loss, dizziness, and headache. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, please seek medical attention immediately.
If you’re injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get emergency care. By doing so, you may be able to avoid some of the more serious injuries that can occur from a car crash.
