Car accidents are common these days given the number of vehicles on the road. However, these events can have huge repercussions on the lives of the people involved. Every day, thousands of people are involved in such accidents and sustain severe injuries. Depending on the nature of the accident, you can claim compensation for the injuries suffered. However, you must visit Abercrombie, P.A, or any other reputed professional for a legal consultation to improve your chances of getting fair compensation. It’s also vital that you seek medical assistance to manage your injuries.
Accidents affect each part of your body differently. For instance, injuries suffered by the limbs are not the same as those on your head or neck. Similarly, their treatments are different. There are those you can manage on your own while others require professional help. In this article, we will look at how you can manage each one of these injuries for quick recovery.
- Back Injuries
Perhaps these are the most traumatic injuries you can suffer in a car accident. The rapid shifting of your car may twist the disks along your spine. This misalignment and possible damages to your spinal cord may affect some of your senses and the movement of your limbs. The pain you feel may also be due to the strained back muscles and tendons or sprained ligaments.
So, how do you manage back injuries? If you find yourself in this situation, the first step – obviously – is to seek medical support. For back pains, you’ll be advised to take a rest and apply ice or heat to the affected area. Also, you may need some painkillers to ease the pain.
However, if the situation is severe or doesn’t improve after a couple of weeks, you may need to consult a medical professional. Chiropractic services may be enough, but a severe injury may require surgery. Generally, back and spinal injuries may take anywhere between a few weeks to several months to fully heal. Of course, you’ll need some therapeutic services along the way to quicken the recovery process.
- Head Injuries
Among the main factors leading to head injuries include hitting the steering wheel, windshield, side window, and loose objects. In the process, your brain may get hurt or blood vessels may be ruptured. Fluids or blood may leak into the skull cavity. As a result, you may have a severe concussion, also known as traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Taking rest from physical activities may help with the recovery. Also, cut back on any tasks that require a lot of concentration. Keep an eye on any new symptoms of a concussion as you manage the situation. If you feel that the situation isn’t improving, there may be internal bleeding beneath the skull. You must treat this as an emergency because the repercussions can be severe. Consult a doctor immediately. The average recovery period for mild concussions can be a month or less. However, the recovery can get more complicated for advanced conditions.
- Neck Injuries
Another common type of injury is the one sustained on the neck. You can snap your neck following an abrupt force from the rear or sides during crashes. The effect can be a mere strain or dislocation of the spinal bones. It’s also normal to have your neck feeling stiff and very painful. The most common injury in this region is whiplash, which affects the cervical spine. The severity depends on the force of the impact.
Several home remedies can help you ease the pain and manage neck injuries. Some of the pain may be due to poor blood circulation around your neck. Therefore, to improve the flow of blood and ease stiff muscles, you’ll need to apply heat to the area (a cloth soaked in hot water will do). You can also wrap ice in a towel and apply it to the area. Do so at least once every two or three hours for quick results.
If your neck feels stiff, try to move it around slowly. Doing this regularly will ease the muscles and other tissues in the neck region. Avoid carrying heavy luggage on your shoulder since this may aggravate the injury. Consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication. Remember to check with your doctor whenever you feel that things are getting worse.
- Internal Injuries
Internal injuries can be very dangerous if the right steps are not taken immediately. Whenever one is involved in a car accident, people tend to concentrate on the external bruises and cuts since they’re visible and somewhat easier to control. However, one may sustain injuries to his or her internal organs which can only be visible through scanning. Severe damages to these organs may lead to internal bleeding. Some symptoms of such bleeding include dizziness, abdominal pain, swelling, and tightness.
You can’t manage internal injuries at home. Therefore, you must visit your doctor so that they can assess the seriousness of the situation. If the bleeding is minimal, the medical practitioner may let it stop on its own. The severe ones may require surgeries.
- Psychological Impact
Throughout the article, we’ve dwelled on physical injuries. However, one may also suffer psychologically. The accident may cause mental issues. For instance, you can be stressed, anxious, or depressed. The only way to manage such trauma effectively is by talking to a professional counsellor. They’ll recommend various anxiety management methods to help you cope with reality.
Conclusion
Car accidents are dangerous and may leave life-altering marks on the victims. Of course, you have a right to claim compensation for the damages incurred. However, the priority should be your health. As such, it’s important to know how to manage the various injuries that you may sustain following a car accident. You must consult a doctor, especially in the case of severe car accidents. You can also follow the home remedies discussed in this article.