Each year, between 20 and 50 million people around the world suffer non-fatal injuries from a road traffic crash.
Some are able to get away with minor scratches, scrapes, or cuts. While others sustain more serious injuries. They need extensive medical treatment and recovery is a long process.
Read on to learn some common car accident injuries and how they’re treated.
Whiplash
Whiplash or neck strain can occur when a sudden force causes the head to jerk forward or backward. This then stretches and tears the neck muscles and tendons.
Sometimes, the pain is immediate. But there are cases where whiplash pain takes several hours or days to appear.
Treatment includes icing your neck, taking painkillers, using a neck brace/collar, and applying moist heat. For best recovery results, consider physical therapy. This will help a lot with the pain, which could get worse over time if not treated early.
Broken Bones
Another common injury from a car accident is a broken bone or a fracture. A bone will break if it’s not able to sustain the force exerted upon it.
Recovery will depend a lot on the impact of the force, the location of the break, how old the patient is, his or her level of physical activity, as well as previous injuries.
For most broken bones, treatment is the same. Surgery will align out of place bones, which are then put into a cast. At around 3 to 4 weeks after the injury, new mature bones start to form.
Once the cast is off, doctors may suggest physical therapy to help restore normal range of motion, mobility, and strength faster.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI or traumatic brain injury can be mild, moderate, or severe. With mild TBI, rest and some pain relievers are enough to treat the accompanying headache.
Moderate or severe TBIs, on the other hand, are emergency cases. Treatment will focus on making sure the patient has enough oxygen, blood supply, and stable blood pressure.
To limit secondary damage to the brain tissues, surgery and medications are a must. Rehabilitation is also part of the treatment, especially for those who suffered significant brain damage.
Important: Don’t Delay Medical Treatment
Some injuries from car accidents take time to develop. You can’t 100% assess your injuries at the scene.
As soon as you feel symptoms such as pain, dizziness, or numbness, go see a doctor. You don’t want to risk any injury becoming worse and it helps a lot if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
Wrapping Up
Whiplash, broken bones and TBI are just some of the injuries associated with car accidents. Some of them require surgery, medications, and other interventions, while others will heal on their own given enough time and rest.
The important thing is if you’ve been in a car accident, get yourself checked. However minor you think an injury is, it could get worse without proper medical treatment.
For more articles like this, don’t forget to check out our wellness blog.