Auto Accidents

How Common Are Auto Accidents?

Preparation, awareness, advancements in technology, and traffic safety laws aren’t enough to predict and prevent auto accidents and injuries, especially for those not at fault. On average, there are 6 million auto accidents in the U.S. each year, leading to 3 million injuries. About 2 million injuries from auto accidents are permanent. 90 people die in car accidents each day. More than one quarter of auto accidents cause non-fatal injuries, while 6 percent of auto accidents result in fatalities.
The number one cause of auto accidents in the U.S. is distracted driving, whether the driver is talking on the phone, texting, eating, picking up something off the floor, or applying makeup. Speeding, careless and reckless driving, rain, ice, fog, drowsiness, tire blowouts, sharp turns, and driving at night increase the risk of auto accident injuries.

Types of Auto Accident Injuries

Driving has become such a routine part of everyday life that it can be easy to overlook just how much damage can be done by heavy vehicles moving at high speeds. Even a seemingly minor bump from behind is enough to cause your head to snap back and cause an injury.
Common auto accident injuries include:

• Whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. Most whiplash injuries heal within six weeks, but many people experience pain after 10 years.
• Back injuries, such as fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, spinal cord damage, sprains, and strains
• Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
• Chest injuries, such as fractured ribs or a collapsed lung
• Internal bleeding
• Fractures and soft tissue injuries, especially in the knees, arms, hands, and feet
• Psychological and emotional conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety

The more severe the injury, the longer recovery can take. However, minor injuries can also have long-lasting effects if not properly treated. Also, an injury in one area of the body can lead to problems in other areas without proper diagnosis and treatment.

What to Do if Injured in an Auto Accident

Suppose you’re in an auto accident. You’re overwhelmed with the police report, insurance, figuring out how to get home, and possibly contacting an attorney. You don’t feel too much pain, so you decide not to see a doctor. You have enough on your plate.
This all-too-common scenario can lead to chronic pain. You might not feel symptoms right away, possibly until the next day. For example, neck soreness and concussion symptoms might not be noticeable immediately. It’s always a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel pain or discomfort right away. Of course, serious injuries typically warrant a trip to the emergency room.

Treatment for Auto Accident Injuries

Treatment of musculoskeletal injuries from auto accidents depends on the location, nature, and severity of the injury. Many will require x-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or other forms of testing to pinpoint the source of the issue. This is why it helps to have a collaborative team of expert clinicians working together to diagnose and treat your condition.
At Natural Healthcare Center, we focus on restoring strength, stability, and range of motion to the affected area and the structures of the body that support that area. Remember, the body is a collection of interconnected systems that need to stay balanced to function at an optimal level.
Treatment of auto accident injuries could include a combination of physical therapy and rehabilitation, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and podiatry, depending on the specific injury. Keep in mind that these services can be used to treat neurological disorders, not just musculoskeletal injuries.

Did You Know…

• Seatbelts cut the risk of serious auto accident injuries in half and reduce the risk of death by 45 percent.
• Nearly one-fifth of auto accidents resulting in injuries involve distracted driving.
• Driving while using a cell phone reduces brain activity focused on driving by more than one-third.
• One-third of drivers text while driving, making them 23 times more likely to get into an accident.
• Texting while driving takes the driver’s eye off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. In that time, you could drive the length of an entire football field.
• 40 percent of fatal auto accidents involve alcohol.

If You’ve Been in an Auto Accident…

Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t feel pain immediately. The earlier you diagnose and treat the problem, the more likely you’ll be able to return to the activities you enjoy without chronic pain or other long-term problems. Schedule a complimentary consultation at Natural Healthcare Center. We’ll discuss your history, review your diagnostic imaging, and share our insights at no charge. Let us help you identify the root cause of your injury and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you feel better, function better and live longer.