What is the Most Common Injury After a Car Accident?
Auto accidents happen every day in Texas. While that’s unfortunate news for motorists, it means the dedicated team at Premier Injury Clinics has vast experience treating car crash injuries of all kinds.
If you or a family member were recently injured in a crash and haven’t seen a doctor, there might be some confusion over whether you should get professional care. Medical expenses and time away from work are factors that sometimes cause people to avoid medical treatment. However, only a professional diagnosis can get to the root cause of your auto accident aches and pains.
The Most Common Injury After a Car Accident
Soft Tissue Injuries
After a car crash, soft tissue injuries are the most common injury. This type of injury can include damage to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Whiplash is included in this category and is caused by the sudden whipping of neck and head muscles due to the impact of a crash.
Back injuries are also common after a car accident, particularly damage to the low or mid-back, including muscle sprains. Auto accident victims often assume soft tissue injuries will resolve independently without medical attention. However, failure to get a professional diagnosis and treatment plan can cause soft tissue damage to worsen and can also delay your recovery.
While soft tissue injuries are the most common, many other injuries can come about due to a car accident.
Fractures and Broken Bones
The impact of a collision can wreak havoc on your body. Broken bones range in severity, with treatment plans like casts for simple breaks or surgery for more serious compound fractures.
Common fractures and breaks include broken wrists, ankles, arms, legs, and ribs. Depending on the break, some car wreck victims suffer a fractured pelvis, which can be addressed with either surgical or non-surgical treatment.
Head Injuries
Like many other injuries, head injuries can range from minor to severe. A minor injury might involve a small cut or bruise that results from bumping your head. However, major head injuries aren’t something you can see, and that’s why immediate medical examination is so essential.
A severe head injury might include a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). A closed head injury could lead to tearing or bruising of the brain. Even if you don’t recall hitting your head, you should see an auto accident doctor right after your crash. Most people are so flooded with adrenaline that their memory is fuzzy. Plus, adrenaline masks pain, making it harder to know whether you are injured.
Arm and Leg Injuries
Depending on the nature of your collision, your arms or legs might suffer the most damage in an auto accident. Side impacts especially can do a lot of damage to the leg or arm closest to the car door.
Another common injury is a knee injury. Often, a passenger’s knee will hit the dashboard or the seat in front of them during impact. Injuries to arms, legs, and knees include bruises, scrapes, breaks, fractures, and sprains. It’s important to remember that many injuries don’t appear right after an accident. Delayed symptoms are common, but timely medical treatment is essential for a speedy recovery.
Treatment for Injuries After a Car Accident
At Premier Injury Clinics of DFW, we treat auto accident victims daily. Our dedicated and compassionate staff understands how overwhelming car crash injuries can be. Our doctors are on-site at all times at our six locations.
If you were in an auto accident, visit our clinic for a complete evaluation. An auto accident doctor can conduct tests that detect injuries even before they are felt, accelerating your recovery and helping prevent further damage.
Car Accident Doctor FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What kind of doctor should I see after a car accident?
At Premier Injury Clinics of DFW, we have doctors on staff at all times to treat car crash injuries. Our services aim to reduce pain, restore range of motion, and reduce the likelihood of recurring conditions. If you have whiplash, back pain, or neck pain after an accident, our knowledgeable staff can help.
What are the most common injuries after a car accident?
Typical car crash injuries include whiplash, concussion, fractured bones, strains and sprains, damaged soft tissue, and disc injuries. It’s sometimes difficult to tell right away if a car crash harmed you, but an auto accident doctor can professionally evaluate and diagnose your condition.
When should I see a car accident doctor?
Because symptoms are often delayed, seeing a car accident doctor right away is vital. Premier Injury Clinics of DFW offers chiropractic care and exercise rehabilitation. We can also refer you to trusted orthopedic surgeons and local attorneys.
How can a chiropractor help after an accident?
After a car accident, a chiropractor can use various tools and techniques to restore joint flexibility and realign vertebrae. Benefits of chiropractic care after a car crash include pain relief, reduced inflammation, reduced scar tissue, and improved range of motion.
