You did everything right. You stopped at the stop sign. You looked for oncoming traffic. You accelerated into your turn. But out of nowhere, another car plows into yours.
Or maybe you skidded to a halt at a sudden red light and were rear-ended by the person behind you. No matter the means, car accidents are jarring and can take a heavy physical toll.
The effects of a car accident on the body can range from minor scrapes and bruises to broken bones. If you’ve recently been in an auto accident in Tampa, here’s what to expect afterward.
Head and Neck Injuries
Depending on the severity of your accident, you may experience head and neck pain after the crash. If you hit your head during the accident, you may be at risk for having a concussion. When untreated, concussions can be dangerous, so be sure to visit the doctor just in case.
Whiplash is another common side-effect of being in a car accident. As your vehicle comes to a sudden stop, your head keeps moving forward at an accelerated rate. This places an enormous strain on your neck muscles as they try to stop your head. Whiplash can be minor or result in muscle sprains.
If the latter is the case for you, be sure to check out where you can receive physical therapy in Tampa. If you’re not in the Tampa area, try googling ‘physical therapy near me.’
Back Pain
If you’ve injured your back in the accident, you may experience pain when you bend, twist, or reach. Back injuries can be very serious and should be treated by a medical doctor. Afterward, you may need muscular traction therapy to relieve any additional discomfort.
Injuries to the back can also cause pain in the neck, shoulders, and hips. If you have headaches after being in an auto accident in the Tampa Bay area, visit your doctor immediately. It may be a symptom of a greater issue.
Stiffness and Mobility Issues
Two of the less intense but frustrating post-accident issues are stiffness and immobility. As your muscles tensed to try and keep your body from flying out of your car, they may have overexerted themselves. This can cause stiffness and soreness which will make it hard to move.
Or perhaps you were jostled around or hit your airbag particularly hard. This can cause bruising which can also make it painful to move around.
Auto Accident in Tampa? Get Checked Out
Car accidents, even minor ones, cause trauma to the body. So once you’re home, your first step after an auto accident in Tampa should be to visit your doctor.
You need to do this even if you suspect you weren’t seriously injured. Any pain after the crash needs to be looked into. Plus, you can’t be sure that you didn’t sustain any internal damage until a doctor gives you a check-up.
Your next step is to follow the advice of your doctor. He or she may recommend physical therapy or other restorative treatments. Finally, give yourself time to recover. If you’re in need of physical therapy in Tampa, don’t hesitate to give us a call.