Car accidents are a part of life. As much as people try to avoid them, there were 6.4 million in 2005, roughly one for every 45 people in America. And unfortunately, injuries are common results of accidents, and these can be quite serious. It is important to be evaluated by a health professional to rule out a serious injury after a car accident. Luckily, many injuries are minor and require little treatment.
Most serious injuries in car accidents involve the head. Brain damage is very serious. A ruptured blood vessel in the brain can cause a stroke, paralysis, or even death. The worst part of head injuries is that they affect decision-making; many people suffering from these injuries do not realize how badly they are hurt. Fortunately, professional examination, including medical examination and scans, is excellent at picking up serious injuries. The most common signs of serious head injury are confusion and an inability to perform mental tasks, such as remembering the day. With head injuries, medical care is very important, but unfortunately can be very expensive. Brain injuries can require care for years. Therefore, filing a personal injury claim for financial protection is recommended.
Another common injury associates with auto accidents is whiplash. This is a stretch injury to both the front and the back of the neck that also affects the nerves in that area. Pain can travel up the neck, into the head, and possibly down the arms. Unfortunately, pain can take a few days to appear. NFL players have said that they feel fine after the game, fine the next day, but then they can't walk the day after that. A 300 pound football player is 1/10 the size of a 3000 pound Toyota. Professional care is usually required for relief. Many chiropractors and physical therapists are excellent at treating these injuries because they see this every day. X-Rays or MRIs may be necessary to distinguish whiplash from a serious brain injury.
Bumps and bruises will result from almost every car accident. As the body flies forward, the seatbelt bruises the chest, collarbone, and the waist. As the head flies forward unrestrained, the muscles and joints in the neck and shoulders are strained. Sprained ankles from the foot hitting a pedal are also common. These are considered minor injuries, and though painful, will generally resolve completely with treatment. It may take some time though. Sprained ankles will be better after a week, but can take a month or two for most of the pain to disappear. Other bruises and strains will resolve with a similar timeframe. Chiropractic, physical therapy, and acupuncture will make the pain disappear faster. At home treatment including ice packs and hot packs may also be helpful.
A more serious impact will cause more injuries. Bones can break, organs can rupture, joints can dislocate, and tissues can tear. These injuries are bad, and can result in paralysis or death. They need to be identified quickly, so if any of these are even suspected, a visit to the emergency room is in order. Immediate surgery is required for a dislocated spine or a ruptured organ. Many broken bones also require surgery. After surgery, rehabilitation is required to restore normal life, that is, if there is no disability. Therefore, filing a personal injury claim for these injuries is recommended. An insurance company may offer a settlement that will not cover a lifetime of care that is needed. In short, injuries from car accidents are common and can be devastating, both physically and financially. Everyone should take care to protect themselves.
iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software
No comments:
Post a Comment