Common Car Accident Injuries

Injuries from motor-vehicle accidents range considerably. Please find a list of common problems and their treatment courses below. Please do not attempt treatment yourself — seek immediate medical attention for any of these conditions.

1. Scrapes, Cuts, and Burns

Skin and tissue injuries are most common in serious high-impact collisions. They often come in the form of abrasions, puncture wounds, or lacerations. Burns may also be an issue in extreme cases. Treatments may include:

• First aid
• Suture
• Bandaging
• Skin graft

2. Limb Joint Injuries

Car accidents may result in various injuries to the joints and connective tissues of the legs and arms. Diagnosing these injuries may sometimes require imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans. Depending on the site, these issues could reduce mobility, dexterity, and other important physical skills. To obtain the most complete recovery possible, patients often must depend on a mix of treatments that manage pain, strengthen the body, and improve the underlying condition:

• Chiropractic care
• Physiotherapy
• Joint injections
• Interferential current therapy

3. Skeletal Injuries

Broken bones are relatively common in high-speed collisions. These conditions could require:

• X-ray, MRI, or CAT scans
• Immobilization, such as a cast or sling
• Nutritional supplements
• Orthopedic hardware

4. Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the violent back-and-forth movement the head experiences during a collision. This injury can occur at low speeds — especially when airbags do not deploy and especially in rear-end impacts. Common courses of action regarding whiplash include:

• Chiropractic diagnosis, monitoring, and care
• Physiotherapy
• Joint injections for persistent or severe cases

5. Traumatic Brain Injury

Any time that a skull-impact or a whiplash event happens, there is a chance for traumatic brain injury. These injuries range in severity and symptoms. Severe cases often involve a loss of consciousness; emergency room doctors and specialists usually treat moderate-to-significant TBI. Milder injuries may call for:

• Rest from work or other physical and mental exertion
• Professional monitoring (follow-up appointments)

6. Chronic Pain

Even after initial courses of treatment are complete, it is relatively common for patients to experience chronic pain following an auto accident. This could mean that there are still joint, muscle, or ligament issues that should be addressed. Treatment for chronic pain could include:

• Trigger point injections
• Joint injections
• Chiropractic care
• Activity and nutritional changes
• Physiotherapy
• Electrical stimulation therapies

A Note on Prescription Painkillers

Prescription painkillers are prescribed widely for patients with accident injuries. This option is problematic because it does not improve the underlying condition in most cases. However, in certain cases — such as severe burns — the use of short-term pain medication as directed by a medical professional may be an appropriate part of a larger recovery plan.

You may have noticed that none of these injuries have quick fixes. Recovery is a journey of strengthening the body and removing the cause of the injury — not just reducing symptoms. To learn more, please contact us directly or schedule an appointment today for treatment of pain after a car accident.