Traffic accidents are unfortunately common worldwide, with millions of people injured or even losing their lives each year. The wounds resulting from car accidents can often be quite dramatic, coming with life-changing symptoms. Many patients must take time off work and postpone all other activities until they’re in better condition. The emotional damage is another thing to consider, as well as the possibility of losing your job or becoming disabled, all of which would have a negative effect on an individual’s mental state.
But what types of injuries are most likely to occur due to a car crash, and how serious are they?
Whiplash
As one of the most common injuries that can occur during an accident, whiplash is generally straightforward to treat. They often don’t leave any lasting effects on the patient, but that doesn’t make them any less uncomfortable. Whiplash happens when the head is jerked either forwards or backward with significant force, causing damage to the neck’s joints, muscles and ligaments. Symptoms can be delayed for at least twenty-four hours, which is why it’s important to get medical attention right after an accident occurs, regardless of how minor the symptoms seem at the moment.
The typical signs accompanying whiplash are neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness and shoulder aches. The discomfort can travel down the body, leading to tingling and numbness in the hands, arms and lower back, as well as systemic symptoms such as sleep disturbances, irritability, trouble concentrating and tiredness.
Whiplash is more likely to occur as a result of rear-end collisions. While weather conditions such as heavy rains and black ice can cause such accidents, they can also occur due to reckless driving practices such as brake checking, tailgating, panic stops, or being distracted at the wheel. If you were involved in an accident where the other party can be held accountable for negligent behaviour, you can go to https://www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/ to talk to an attorney and see what evidence you need to assemble to support your case.
Spinal cord injuries
The spine is particularly vulnerable during road accidents, and the injuries can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Since the area is so important for overall health, you must talk to a doctor as soon as possible to rule out anything serious. The symptoms are different depending on where exactly the injury occurred, as well as the severity.
Back pain is the most common sign, as are numbness and tingling. You might also notice changes in how you perceive sensations in your feet, soles, or palms. Pressure is also common, and you’ll likely feel it in your head, shoulders or back. In extreme cases, weakness or even complete inability to move one side of your body, problems walking or excruciating pain with movement, and even difficulty breathing may occur.
While whiplash treatment focuses on pain relief, reducing inflammation and swelling, and encouraging gradual movement, spinal cord injuries require a more complex healing process. Surgery might be necessary to remove bone fragments and solve any structural issues, such as herniated disks. For any possible complications, the treatment should also focus on those particular symptoms.
Spinal cord injuries are more likely to result due to speeding, rollovers, or when a pedestrian or motorcycle rider is involved. Several long-term symptoms might occur, including circulatory or breathing issues and chronic pain.
Fractures
Bone fractures might not sound very scary. After all, children can get them when they’re out playing, and you might even get a broken bone while doing something mundane like housework. And while it’s uncomfortable to have a limb immobilised for a considerable amount of time, the treatment seems straightforward, and there appears to be a small probability for complications.
But that’s not always the case, and although bone fractures are common, they can also have devastating effects. Severe pain and bruising are the most classic symptoms; sometimes, the bone might poke through the skin. The patient typically goes through a considerable amount of pain, and immediate medical intervention is required to prevent serious complications like systemic infections, nerve damage, muscle damage and bone deformities.
The most common areas where a fracture is likely to occur during a crash are the wrists and ankles. Due to the force of the direct blow, cuts, bruising and swelling can also occur, which makes treatment more complicated. Broken bones are most common in front – or side-impact collisions or if the occupants are thrown out of the car. Pedestrians and bicycle riders are also particularly vulnerable to injuries, which can be even more serious than passengers inside a vehicle.
Surgery might be necessary for complex fractures, and the recovery period will depend on the extent of the damage and which bones were broken.
Psychological issues
Even with no physical symptoms or injuries, mental health can still be impacted in various ways. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common after accidents, and victims might develop severe anxiety and experience flashbacks anytime they do something that reminds them of the accident. This can include driving through the area where the collision happened, being reminded every year on the same date, as well as something as simple as stepping foot inside a car.
Depression can also happen, especially if the victim struggles with chronic health damage in the aftermath. The psychological impact of an accident can last for a long time or even a lifetime, so it’s important to talk to a psychologist as soon as possible to discover the best treatment for you. This can include therapy as well as medicine.
Mental health assistance is essential for patients with injuries that can affect their quality of life or ability to work. Lifestyle changes, especially sudden and unwanted, can have a catastrophic impact on mental health. Talking to a therapist helps these patients discover the necessary resources to continue their life and find meaning and purpose again,
In the aftermath of an accident, life can be chaotic and scary, so it’s important to prioritise your well-being to ensure you’ll make a full recovery as soon as possible.
