Whether it be a minor fender bender or something more severe, the possibility of being injured in an accident is an unfortunate reality. Some injuries make themselves known immediately, while others may not become obvious until hours or even days later. Sometimes once our nerves are settled, the aches and pains begin to show.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most common body parts that are injured after an accident. While some will heal independently, others will need the immediate attention of a doctor. Those injuries that fall between being healed with time and an over-the-counter pain medication and those requiring surgery can be addressed with chiropractic care.
What Are The Most Common Areas of the Body That Are Injured After an Accident?
Each accident is different, as is each person’s body. However, many common injuries can be expected after an accident. The United States Department of Transportation estimates that there are approximately 5 to 6 million automotive accidents a year, with 1 to 2 million of them resulting in bodily injury.
Soft Tissue
Although not a specific body part, soft tissue damage is a common injury resulting from an accident. A soft tissue injury is described as a trauma to the muscle, skin, ligaments, or tendons anywhere on the body. Sometimes described as a neck injury, whiplash could also be considered a soft tissue injury.
Soft tissue injuries can happen anywhere on the body. The damage can range anywhere from minor to severe. Soft tissue strains or sprains happen when ligaments and tendons become overstretched.
Neck
Most neck injuries that result from an accident are those of the soft tissue variety. Whiplash, neck strains, and sprains often happen when the head is quickly jarred forwards or backward. The head’s weight, after being moved suddenly, can cause strains to all of the components that make up the structure of the neck. Sufferers can seek treatment for neck injuries by NCIC.
Head and Back
Damage to the head is a common body part that sustains injuries after an accident. It typically results from the head hitting the windshield, steering wheel, or side window during impact. Injuries could be as minor as bruising, minor lacerations, or as severe as a concussion or traumatic brain injury. TBIs and spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening, so ensure you get the appropriate emergency care and post-accident medical and chiropractic treatments.
One of the injuries that may not become immediately apparent after an accident is injuries to the back. It could be a few days before the aches and pains become apparent. The impact of an accident could cause the back’s muscles and ligaments to stretch beyond their normal capacity. This will cause pain and mobility problems. A dislocation fracture to the spine is another more serious back injury after a vehicular impact.
Chest
Seatbelts, the safety device in all cars, can unfortunately sometimes cause damage to the chest from a sudden and severe impact. Common accident-related chest injuries include bruises, broken ribs, and, even worse, damage to internal organs such as the lungs. Oftentimes the deployment of airbags, another safety device, could cause chest injuries.
Extremities
Arms and legs can also be injured. A sudden and unexpected impact can cause both arms and legs to move involuntarily, resulting in many different types of injuries. Scrapes and cuts can occur from being in contact with broken glass, and fractures are not uncommon.
Can a Chiropractor Help Me Recover from My Post-Accident Injuries?
Although a chiropractor may not immediately come to mind when thinking about car accident injuries, they can successfully treat several types of injuries. The benefits of post-accident chiropractic care are numerous.
A chiropractor can help to treat whiplash, back pain caused by a herniated disc after a crash, and other post-accident injuries. One of the biggest benefits of chiropractic care is that they do not prescribe medications for pain. Rather than dispense a pill to mask pain, a chiropractor focuses on eliminating the cause of the pain. Chiropractic treatment offers a solution for those concerned about the ethics of taking powerful pain-killing medications.
Chiropractic treatments can help reduce inflammation, which can cause pain after an accident. Along with helping the body’s natural healing process, a chiropractor can help you restore mobility much faster.
Post-Accident Injuries Explained
No body part is safe from injury during an accident. Although conditions like whiplash and back injuries are more common, our entire bodies are vulnerable to injury from the sudden impacts of a crash.
