Proper Care After an Automobile Accident

An automobile accident often results in minimum vehicle damage, however, on the other side of the spectrum, the injuries an individual sustains from a car wreck can be devastating.

Various types of accidents can affect a person’s well-being and auto accidents are considered to be some of the most troublesome towards an individual’s health. Apart from causing financial losses, suffering a complicating injury or underlying condition as a result of traffic collision can alter an individual’s lifestyle.

First Steps After an Automobile Accident

For that reason, it’s essential to seek professional assistance to properly manage the physical, mental and material damage one may have suffered after an automobile accident. Foremost, the victim of a car crash should seek immediate medical attention to address any serious injuries as soon as possible. If the accident is minor in nature, and the vehicle itself is equipped with a first-aid kit, the individual may utilize these as a means before professional help arrives. Trauma and shock are often the biggest complications of accidents and it is crucial to treat them as early as possible. The auto accident victim must be kept calms and composed at all times to avoid further injuries.

The next important step following an automobile accident is to immediately take the victim to the nearest medical facility available. Most frequently, those involved in a car wreck will be transported to the emergency room, or ER, where they will receive basic care for their wounds. Occasionally, the injuries sustained during the incident may appear minor and although there may be no broken bones or open wounds, there could be the risk of soft-tissue injuries, which are not easily visible without proper evaluations and testing. Because the professional staff of the ER are often only capable of treating immediately threatening wounds and may prescribe medications to temporarily relieve the painful symptoms following an auto accident, it’s crucial to ensure that the involved individual seeks a full examination from a qualified doctor who specializes in auto accident injuries to rule out the possibility of other, much more serious types of injuries or conditions. This could certainly prevent aggravating an injury and, in some situations, it could also make a difference between life and death.

The Importance of Visiting A Doctor

Aside from reducing the risk of further complications, there are several other reasons why it’s important to seek immediate medical attention from a car accident specialist. Healthcare professionals whom specialize in car accident injuries can help properly diagnose an individual’s injuries or conditions. According to the findings, these capable healthcare professionals can effectively plan the next course of treatment. Furthermost, many doctors and even primary healthcare centers have the required diagnostic tools for pathological tests, such as X-rays. These can be extremely useful because many injuries may not be immediately visible following an automobile accident.

For instance, damage or injury to the bone, joints, muscles and ligaments, as well as damage to other types of tissues in the body, can be common after an accident, however, because these may often not result in open-wounds, they may be overlooked. If left untreated, a majority of these complications could lead to further issues. Due to the tremendous force from a car wreck, fractures occur frequently. A basic X-ray, MRI or other types of scans may be needed to rule out the possibility of a broken bone in the body.

Many auto accidents could also lead to damage or injury to vital organs, such as the lungs, liver, kidney and commonly, the brain. Brain concussions, internal bleeding and puncture wounds to vital organs could be life-threatening and should therefore be immediately ruled out with the use of the above mentioned diagnostic tools.

In other cases, the victim involved may be in need of a blood transfusion. Serious accidents could lead to blood loss and getting medical help as early as possible is also crucial in these instances. Qualified doctors and most primary medical centers have the required quantity and group of blood an individual might need after a serious automobile accident.

Symptoms Following an Auto Collision

When a person suffers an automobile accident, there are several common symptoms one must look out for. The presence of any of the following symptoms could indicate a possible injury or condition and must therefore be immediately examined. The most common symptoms include: pain and discomfort on the neck, back, and upper extremities, tingling sensations and numbness in various parts of the body, dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness.

Being aware of these symptoms is essential as some of these could signal the need for immediate medical attention. For example, pain and discomfort along with dizziness could occur because of hemorrhage to the brain due to concussion from the sudden impact of an auto accident. Being aware of the consequences certain symptoms indicate could help avoid undesirable circumstances.

Different Treatments for Injury

Fortunately, there are many different types of treatments and therapies available to help an individual recover from their automobile accident injures. Depending on the type of injury, the severity of the harm and the overall condition of the victim, various treatment methods are available to accommodate the individual.

Without a doubt, pain and other symptoms caused by injury from an auto collision is a big concern for those who suffer from these circumstances. Many doctors often prescribe pain killers or NSAIDS to help relieve the painful symptoms, however, these can have various side effects and, because they don’t directly treat the underlying issue, prescribed medications only function temporarily to reduce the pain and discomfort. Different types of injections are also available and used regularly for treating pain from trauma and other issues associated with auto accidents, however, as mentioned before, these can also have side effects and may only offer temporary relief without actually treating the problem. When it comes to finding the proper treatment in case of an auto accident, the individual must keep in mind to seek help from a specialist who can offer to restore their overall health without simply masking the issue.

Many healthcare specialists utilize a procedure known as Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy, or CFRN. This complex procedure can be beneficial for some patients. CFRN works by artificially interrupting the signals being sent by certain nerves to the brain which could trigger pain in individuals who suffered an auto accident. This procedure has been found to be useful in reducing the levels of pain an individual experiences which could be unbearable for some people. Pain which is beyond the threshold limit could lead to extreme trauma and shock. This could lead to further complications but, in many cases, it could trigger other issues including heart related problems and neurological disorders.

Physical therapy is considered to be a common and useful primary treatment option for victims of an automobile accident. Many individuals have reported relief from their back pain, neck pain, whiplash and various other types or injuries that could impact vital organs and other types of tissues. Physical therapists may also include heat and cold therapy, according to the individual’s type of injuries. The application of heat therapy helps decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain, increases the flow of oxygen and can help restore flexibility to the affected regions. The application of cold therapy can also help reduce pain and discomfort, but additionally, cold therapy can help decrease swelling.

Finally, chiropractic treatment is recognized as the most popular, alternative treatment option to care for injuries and/or conditions caused after an automobile accident. Chiropractors focus on the body as a whole by naturally restoring the original alignment of the spine. Chiropractors specialize on a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions as well as nervous system dysfunctions. From neck pain and whiplash to low back pain, chiropractic care commonly utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully re-align the spine and its surrounding structures. After a thorough examination and diagnosis to determine the individual’s specific type of complications, a treatment plan may be developed accordingly to gradually rehabilitate the individual and restore their original health.

In addition, a chiropractor may also recommend a variety of stretches and exercises to increase the individual’s strength, improve their flexibility and mobility and ultimate to speed up the rehabilitation process. A combination of the appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises along with chiropractic treatment could be extremely useful in helping the individual overcome the hardships of an automobile accident.

Recovering from Auto Injuries

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Insurance Related Issues

Almost all auto accidents lead to personal injury claims being filed with the insurance companies. It is important for the victims to take photographs of the accidents. The healthcare professional the individual involved in the automobile accident is receiving treatment from can help provide the insurance company with the essential information necessary to complete a successful personal insurance claim, that’s why it’s also important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. This will help strengthen the insurance claim quite significantly. A preliminary investigation report from the police would also be needed because it will add a legal dimension to the entire accident which could additionally help get the best possible insurance claim.  For those who choose to delay their treatment, not only are they at risk of worsening symptoms from injuries or underlying conditions, if they delay their treatment further, they could have a difficult time with the insurance company.

A majority of chiropractors, as well as other healthcare professionals, are specialized and experienced in treating injuries and trauma caused by an automobile accident. Their professional approach offers some of the best treatments, whether it’s relieving pain caused by pressure being placed on the spinal nerves or numbness caused by stress being imposed on spinal nerves, chiropractors are trained to handle injuries and conditions professionally, especially automobile accident injuries. 

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

By Dr. Alex Jimenez