Recovering From a Car Accident
Information on the recovery process for common car accident injuries.
Being involved in a car accident can have devastating consequences. In just an instant, your life can be permanently altered. While some people may be able to walk away from a minor fender-bender, others may suffer lifelong issues from their injuries. There are many types of injuries that commonly occur in collisions, and the recovery from these injuries will depend on the severity.
If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention, even if you think you have not been injured. Some injuries may take days or weeks for symptoms to arise after an accident. In addition, if you are seriously injured, you will need the help of a car accident attorney to ensure you receive the medical treatment and compensation you are entitled to.
Scrapes, Cuts, Bruises
Scapes and cuts are injuries where the outer layer of the skin is damaged. Usually, these will bleed or ooze blood. While these are often minor injuries, they do pose a risk of infection. Therefore the wound will need to be kept clean and treated with an antiseptic until it is healed, and may need to be kept covered. Deeper cuts may also require stitches. If you are experiencing pain, you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen until it subsides.
Bruises are caused by impacts that damage the tissue below the skin. This causes bleeding beneath the skin, which gives the bruise a red or purple color. Most bruises will heal on their own with time and without medical intervention. However, they can be painful. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain killers can help alleviate the pain. If you notice swelling, or if the bruise hasn’t started to fade within a week, consult a medical professional.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common injuries from the impact of a collision. They are very rarely life-threatening, and usually do not cause permanent damage. Usually, an x-ray is used to diagnose a broken bone, but sometimes other scans are used, such as a CT scan or MRI. In the majority of cases, the doctor will set the bone and apply a cast to keep it immobilized. It generally takes one to two months of rest to heal, and the pain can be treated with over-the-counter pain killers or stronger ones prescribed by your doctor. In more severe cases, surgery may be required.
Internal Bleeding
This is a more serious injury that is common in high-speed collisions, where the force of the impact causes internal organs to bleed. These types of injuries can be life-threatening, so need prompt medical attention. The symptoms will vary depending on where the internal bleeding is occurring but includes: dizziness, numbness, tingling, pain, swelling, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
A medical examination and scans are necessary to diagnose internal bleeding. Mild cases can heal on their own with rest, but major ones may require surgery. Once the doctors are able to stop the internal bleeding, the treatment will focus on healing the damage.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries caused by car accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. The head getting whipped back and forth strains the muscles, nerves, and ligaments in the neck, causing pain in the back and neck that usually arises the next day. Other common symptoms include pain or numbness in the arms, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and blurred vision. While rarely permanent, whiplash can be quite painful. The recovery time depends on the severity--while mild cases can improve in a few days, more serious ones can take months or even years.
Whiplash is diagnosed by a doctor via a medical exam, and often scans will be necessary as well. Medication will be prescribed for the pain, and sometimes a cervical collar to keep the neck still while it heals. In many cases, neck stretches and physical therapy are needed to make a full recovery. In very severe cases, surgical intervention may be required.
Herniated Disc
Serious cases of whiplash and other traumas from collisions can also cause a herniated disc in the back or neck. A herniated disc occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae are damaged. While some people notice no symptoms, it can be quite painful if it presses against the nerves in the spinal column. Additional symptoms include numb, tingling, or burning sensations, along with muscle weakness or spasms, or issues with balance.
Diagnosis occurs with an exam from a primary care physician or orthopedist, and scans may be necessary as well. Most of the time, surgery is not necessary, and the injury will heal with a combination of rest, over-the-counter pain killers, and physical therapy.
Spinal Injuries
In addition to whiplash and herniated discs, auto accidents can also cause a variety of more serious injuries to the spine. Fractures to the vertebrae in the spinal column usually only occur in major accidents and can cause full or partial paralysis, or even death. The severity of the injury will depend on the type of fracture, and where it is located.
Scans are usually used to locate the fractures. The treatment varies from cervical collars, chiropractic care, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and surgery. While it is possible to make a full recovery from mild cases, more serious ones can have lifelong consequences. There may be long-term medical expenses and loss of wages from being unable to work. In those cases, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney that specializes in spinal cord injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are caused by blows to the head. While there may be an open wound or bruise, in many cases there are no visible symptoms. The severity can vary widely--while mild concussions heal on their own with time, serious injuries may cause permanent damage. While some people may blackout at the time of injury, it is not uncommon for it to take days for concussion symptoms to arise. These symptoms include fatigue, headaches, memory issues, dizziness, and mood changes.
Many concussions do not show up on a scan, so they are diagnosed by a verbal description of the symptoms. Physical and mental rest are important for healing from brain injuries, especially avoiding activities that are physically demanding or require a lot of concentration. Doctors may also advise against drinking alcohol, driving, or operating heavy machinery for a time. Over-the-counter painkillers can help with headaches. The recovery period for concussions can be long, even for mild injuries.
Psychological Effects
While recovery from car accidents is usually focused on physical injuries, they can also cause mental health issues as well. The mental damage that can be caused by collisions includes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. Having a phobia or anxiety about driving after a serious accident is especially common. These issues can persist for months or years after the accident, and require treatment by a mentall health professional. In some cases psychotherapy is sufficient--EMDR therapy has been shown to be especially effective for trauma--but in other cases medications may be prescribed.