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Common Injuries Sustained In A Car Accident

Auto Accident Doctors Injuries

An unexpected car accident is not only a shocking experience but also one that can cause a great deal of pain and inconvenience. It’s true, the shock and pain should speak for itself but there is also the emotional and financial cost related to injuries.

While certain injuries such as scrapes or bruises might be temporary, the medical cost of tending to these issues is high. But that’s just part of the story because many of these injuries can have serious implications to the mind and body in the long term.

But what injuries might you sustain in a car accident?

In this article, we take a look at the most common car accident injuries. But for a little more context, it’s also important to know why these accidents happen so often....


Car Accidents Doctor Explains Why Accidents Are on the Rise in the United States

Believe it or not, the United States is home to more than 280 million vehicles and one of the highest levels of traffic in the world. Along with other factors such as speeding and reckless driving, this volume of traffic contributes to the large number of accidents that take place every year. In fact, recent studies illustrate how auto accidents account for $870 billion each year, while related injuries are pegged at $594 billion!

With this in mind, an auto accident is not something most people think about even though more than 2.5 million Americans are seriously hurt as a result of auto accidents every year. What’s more, a lot of people are also ill-prepared in terms of risk and then try to navigate a personal injury case without professional assistance.

In case you might be wondering about that last point, you can improve these odds by taking out proper auto insurance called personal injury protection or (PIP), and checking what type of injuries are covered under your health insurance policy. It’s also best to better navigate the aftermath of an incident by contacting an auto accident doctor. But more on that later.

Now, let’s take a look at common injuries sustained in a car crash:

Whiplash

Whiplash refers to a particular type of injury that can inflict damage on ligaments, muscles or tendons. This happens when the head and neck moves suddenly and aggressively, and causes immense strain on soft tissues without breaking any bones.

Strains & Sprains

Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain etc. after an accident can be either due to tears in muscle fibers (strains) &/or ligaments (sprains). Many of these injuries can heal after as little as a few weeks but depending on the severity can take many months to recover.

Cuts and Bruising (Contusions)

Cuts and scrapes are inevitable and can cause a lot of damage in a car accident. This is because projectiles can inflict injury as well as the impact of the vehicle itself. Bruising can cause a great amount of pain, discoloration, & discomfort. Bruising of the chest from the seatbelt is common occurrence. Deeper bruising of the bones can also occur.

Knee Damage

Many car crash victims will suffer from knee damage as a result of being thrust forward against the dashboard. This means either the kneecap (patella), often the posterior cartilage, or ligaments, can be severely problematic and often require Orthopedic treatment followed by physical therapy. Aside from not being able to walk or limited mobility, knee injuries will most often cause a great deal of pain & swelling. An MRI may be needed.

Disc Herniations

Spinal discs can herniate, bulge, prolapse, or extrude as a result of a car accident. These injuries can take a much longer time to recover from and are permanent injuries. A disc that herniates cannot be restored or rehabbed back to a normal disc. Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Orthopedic, and sometimes Neurology care is needed to help you recover as much bodily function as possible. In some cases surgery may be required. Your Auto Accident Doctor can help you navigate the care you need. An MRI is often requested.

Head Injuries

Brain injuries account for some of the most alarming concerns in the aftermath of a car accident. If left untreated, these injuries can have long-term consequences that prevent the brain from working properly. These are difficult injury to diagnose and deliberate medical treatment is needed to stop the issue from worsening over time. If you’re experiencing headaches your Auto Accident Doctor can help you decide if you need to see a Neurologist. A brain MRI may be requested.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is also a great cause for concern following a car accident. It’s only through medical attention that internal bleeding can be diagnosed. These injuries can have life-threatening consequences. If this is suspected you would be referred to the Hospital.

Broken Bones

It should go without saying that legs and arms are often broken in car accidents. In fact, it’s common for any type of bone to break as bones can only withstand a certain amount of pressure. This is usually the easiest personal injury to diagnose after a car accident given the visual nature of a broken bone and significant pain associated. While each and every bone is at risk, broken ribs is one of the most common injuries in a car accident. Whether the person is pushed forward, backward, or sideways, it takes only a moderate amount of pressure to break the ribs. This is an extremely painful injury and not only costly to address but also one that takes a long time to heal. Xray &/or CT would be requested. A referral to an Orthopedic Physician for co-management is warranted.


The Best Way to Navigate the Aftermath of a Car Accident

As mentioned earlier, it’s always best to contact an auto accident doctor in the aftermath of a crash. Auto Accident Doctors have a lot of experience when it comes to treating injuries related to auto accidents. They not only provide excellent medical documentation to support a personal injury case but also the advice needed to navigate various insurance issues.

Auto Accident Doctors are also setup to file pip, fault insurance, and med pay which can take a lot of hassle out of the process for personal injury patients. Auto accidents can inflict damage on any and every part of the body but a specialist Auto Accident doctor will have a lot more relevant experience when it comes to car accident injuries. They can also refer you to a top attorney that will help take the pain out of handling your case and give you time to heal from your injuries.


Conclusion

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, car accidents happen every 60 seconds. That equates to about 5.25 million accidents across the nation on a yearly basis. As for all the hassle, an Auto Accident Doctor is always at hand to help you navigate the process. Auto Accident Doctors has many convenient locations throughout Maryland. If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident call us today (844) 849-6945 to schedule an evaluation at an office near you.