No one plans on being in an accident, especially one where they become injured, but unfortunately this is the fate of approximately 7,000 people a day.
Depending on the severity of the crash, the car accident injuries sustained can vary from something minor like a scrape or a bruise or could result in something more serious. Accidental injuries always have different effects on the body and treatment and recovery will also vary based on where the injury occurred as well as the severity.
How Your Body Responds To A Car Accident
This is what our team of Atlanta orthopedic doctors want you to know about injuries sustained in auto accidents, all the way from the head down to the toes.
The head and brain
When involved in an accident, there is a potential for you to suffer a head injury as a result of your head hitting the windshield, a window, door, steering wheel, or other objects located in the vehicle or outside the vehicle.
When one experiences a blow to the head, they are likely to have a concussion which is also called a traumatic brain injury. When one gets a concussion, the brain bounces around on the inside of the skull which results in chemical changes in the brain. If you are unsure if you have experienced a concussion or are unsure what to look for, the symptoms are a headache, neck pain, dizziness and nausea. Symptoms may not be present right away as to why it’s always suggested to see a physician following an accident so they can look for injuries such as this.
Treatment: Whether you are seeing our Atlanta orthopedic doctors or another physician, always see a doctor following an accident. Treatment for head injuries such as a concussion would be to rest and reduce physical activity for a period of time to ensure no other damage to the brain is done. There is however the potential for a more serious concussion and if those symptoms are present than get to a hospital immediately. If you are experiencing extreme symptoms, there is a possibility that there could be bleeding under the brain which is called a subdural hematoma.
Recovery: The recovery time for a mild concussion with the proper amount of rest should be around 2-3 weeks from the onset of the injury, whereas a subdural hematoma may take much longer dependent upon the severity.
Injuries to the face
These types of injuries can occur when the face has impact with the steering wheel or the air bag. Facial injuries can also occur from objects flying into a person’s face, injuring their skin and bones and even their teeth.
Treatment: With facial injuries, stitches are common. Bandages may be applied to cuts and scrapes and for broken facial bones, surgery may be needed.
Recovery: When recovering from facial injuries the timeline will all depend on the severity of the injury. If the injury is a scrape, a few days or possibly weeks whereas a surgery could take months.
Whiplash and injury to the neck
When someone is rear-ended, it is very common for that person to experience whiplash as their body is jarred very quickly. These injuries can be minimal and result in a neck strain or be so severe where the bones in the spine can become dislocated.
Treatment: For those who fair with a mild strain, although still painful, it is recommended that they take over the counter pain medicine and rest. For those who suffered severe damage to the spine, surgery may be needed.
Recovery: With whiplash, the recovery time could be anywhere from a few weeks to many months depending on the severity of the injury.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident and suffered an injury, don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact our team of Atlanta orthopedic doctors today for an individualized treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery. Call today at, (404) 855-2141.