Treatment and Complications of Car Accidents

Driving is one of the most strenuous activities a person has to do in their daily routine. However, there is always a chance of things going south when you are behind the wheel. Car accidents can have acute and chronic side effects on your body. Neglecting the early signs symptoms and not taking professional medical help can lead to numerous complications. 

Causes of car accident injuries

Distracted driving 

Most people show their negligence by indulging in various activities, such as using their phones, calling/texting other people, eating and drinking while driving, and diverting their attention from the road.

Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs

The driver has sensory suppression, potentially making them lose control behind the wheel.

Over Speeding

Going at higher speeds reduces a person’s reaction time, increasing the probability of a car crash.

Reckless driving

Driving without following traffic rules and regulations can jeopardize the lives of multiple people.

In the event of a traffic violation or car accident, seeking the right legal expertise is crucial. Look for the best ticket fighting attorney in Compton or the nearby area to help resolve any legal matters related to traffic violations. Their specialized knowledge can significantly impact the outcome of your case, potentially reducing penalties and safeguarding your driving record.

Unfavorable weather

Rain, to be particular, is the biggest offender here. Water makes roads slippery, causing automobiles to slip and skid without notice leading to multiple fatal road accidents.

Different injuries associated with car accidents

You can develop different medical conditions depending upon the severity of the crash and its location. Some of the common diseases are listed as follows. 

Accident burns

A burn is an injury to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction, or contact with chemicals. Road accidents usually cause thermal burns. While some burns recover rapidly, others necessitate long-term medical attention and can result in lifelong deformity. Hence, urgent medical attention is required to control their aggravation as a first-degree burn is more likely to be cured quickly. 

Whiplash injury

The condition refers to injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons occurring in an automobile accident. Most people usually recover from the symptoms of Whiplash. However, if left untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as chronic pain and stiffness in the neck.

Cuts and road rash

Cuts and scrapes are common injuries associated with physical trauma caused by automobile accidents. Whereas, when a rough surface like the road comes in contact with skin, it can lead to a road rash. Road rash kills only the top few layers of skin in mild cases, leaving flushed skin that can bleed. Severe road rash, on the other hand, may have much more extreme consequences in critical situations. 

Broken bones and ribs

Any bone in your body can break due to an automobile accident. Common fractures include lower legs and femurs, arms and wrists, clavicles, hips, ribs, skull, and spine. A fractured rib occurs when one of the bones in your rib cage breaks or cracks, the leading cause for this is chest trauma due to accidents.

Knee trauma

The most common knee injuries include fractures around the knee, dislocation, sprains, and tears of soft tissues, like ligaments. In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee. Its leading cause being car accidents.

Herniated discs

A herniated disc occurs when one or more spinal vertebrae break or shift out of position. It can cause extreme lower back pain, neck pain, muscle weakness, pain when walking, and numbness. Treatment includes a prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Although, the disc heals itself over time. 

Internal bleeding

Internal bleeding is a common phenomenon correlated to automobile accidents. If left untreated, complications like coma, shock, and organ failure can occur. 

Head injuries

In auto accidents, head injuries are one of the most dangerous types of conditions. These include concussion, contusion, skull fracture, and ICH.

Back injuries

Back injuries are commonly linked with car accidents, as the back absorbs an incredible amount of force and pressure from a high-impact collision. There are different types of back injuries listed below. 

Spinal cord injury

Damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as mobility and feeling. If you have recently been in an automobile accident, visit a back injury doctor as these are one of the leading injuries linked with accidents. 

Thoracic spine injury

The most severe injuries are those to the thoracic spine. High-velocity vehicle crashes are the most common cause of sprains and fractures in this region, resulting in unchangeable nerve damage.

Lumbar spine injuries

The lumbar spine comprises the five topmost vertebrae. As a result, a lumbar spine sprain or strain may be especially painful. A sprain is when ligaments are injured, while the latter is when ligaments, tendons, or muscles undergo stretching.

Tetraplegia

Tetraplegia is a term used to describe the inability to move the upper and lower parts of the body. The areas of reduced mobility usually include the fingers, hands, arms, chest, legs, feet, and toes. The cause of this is the damage of the spinal cord in an accident.

What to do after a car accident?

There are steps that you should follow, which are listed below.

• Ask people around you for help if you are conscious. 
• Immediately call the police and request guidance.
• Seek medical attention by calling an ambulance.
• Exchange information with the police in detail.
• Check on the well-being of your fellow passengers.
• If an injury has occurred, try to remain still. 
• Breathe in and out deeply to calm your brain.
• Turn off your engine and turn on your hazard lights.
• Wait for help patiently.
• Contact your insurer and start the claims process.

How to recover after your accident?

After the doctor provides an accident injury treatment, you can follow the steps listed below to ensure a proper recovery.

1) Follow your treatment plan. The strategy prescribed by your doctor is the most reliable way to recovery. If you believe that some aspects of your recovery strategy are inefficient, consult your medical practitioner. You and your doctor can talk about other possible alternatives that will be more fitting for you.

2) Make sure to take all your prescribed medications on time with the correct dosage.

3) Managing pain well is essential while recovering. Take over-the-counter pain killers and massage areas that hurt (after referring to your doctor). Talk to your doctor if the pain gets overbearing. 

4) Ice the area where you feel pain, redness, or swelling. Icing helps in subsiding the pain.

5) Have a healthy intake of food. Consume the needed value of vitamins (specifically vitamin C and E), minerals, proteins, calcium, Omega-3 fats, and other nutrients in your diet. Even on days where you feel a lot of pain or are upset with the healing process, try to eat nutritious meals.

6) To keep yourself fit in the future, develop a healthy lifestyle that consists of everyday exercises such as walking, jogging, and running. 

Final thoughts

If someone doesn’t know what to do after a car accident or how to address their accident injuries, the complications could soon worsen. There is a broad range of treatment options available. Regardless of your condition, you have to be patient with the recovery process. If you follow the suggestions above, you will have a better shot at limiting chronic complications and make a total recovery. 

However, it is always better to prevent such incidents in the first place. Hence, from now on, you should always drive safely with full consciousness.