Getting into a car accident can cause a considerable amount of challenges beyond just physical injury. Some car accidents can result in significantly more devastating effects, while others only leave a few scratches and bruises. While the health effects of car accidents can vary, they are nevertheless always negative.
Studies show that less than 2% of people in a car crash report no negative impacts on their health whatsoever. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that you’ll probably find yourself with at least one of the below effects following an accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries following an impact with another vehicle. When a person’s neck is stretched beyond its natural direction rapidly, it results in an injury known as whiplash. While some cases of whiplash may be minor, and only result in stiffness for a few days to weeks, there are many cases which result in more much more serious spinal injuries.
It’s vital that you seek medical attention to determine how severe your injuries are. Failing to be assessed by a doctor may result in the problem worsening over time.
Anxiety and PTSD
Many people make the mistake of believing that the effects of a car accident have to be visible; however, there are many adverse side effects of a collision that may not always be visible to the eye.
Following a traumatic event like a car crash, many people find themselves emotionally distressed. Emotional injuries may include PTSD, anxiety, and even depression.
Psychological injuries can affect people in various areas of their lives. They may find it challenging to work, or maintain healthy relationships with other people. In many cases, they may require ongoing therapy to see an improvement.
Bruises
On impact with another car, the human body goes through a considerable amount of physical stress. It’s not uncommon to see bruising all over your body, from your knees to your shoulders.
As a result of hitting the dashboard or even airbag, you may have swelling and bruising, which could last several weeks.
Concussions
A concussion occurs when a person hits their head so hard that it changes the way their brain functions. Concussions have different levels of severity, the worst resulting in loss of consciousness and memory loss. Some people may suffer post-traumatic brain injury for years to come.
The best way to avoid injury as a result of a car accident is to buckle up and follow all of the traffic laws. Never drive under the influence of substances or when feeling emotionally volatile. Should you be a victim of someone who violated these laws, it’s best to hire a lawyer to understand your rights.
While it may not be possible to avoid accidents entirely, you can minimize your risk by taking the right precautions and being cautious on the road.
Originally posted on September 2, 2019 @ 11:18 am