Even with the protection of your vehicle’s frame, seat belt and air bags, there’s always a chance that you’ll suffer a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident. The likelihood increases if you end up sharing the road with a reckless, distracted or intoxicated motorist.
Should you find yourself in this unenviable position, your immediate attention should turn to your health and acquiring immediate medical treatment. Even if you do not feel any immediate pain from the incident, it is still crucial to seek medical attention right away to ensure you do not have any potential underlying conditions that could become worse the longer you delay treatment.
Common conditions
It’s important to understand what injuries drivers frequently get from these accidents so you can pay attention to any potential symptoms you may feel after the crash. Some of the many types of injuries that are common as a result of a motor vehicle accident include:
- Broken bones: Your bones are at great risk in an accident, even if you’re moving at a slow rate of speed. From a skull fracture all the way down to a broken ankle, every bone in your body is at risk.
- Traumatic brain injury: This is one of the scariest injuries, as it can alter your health and well-being for the rest of your life. A variety of injuries fit under this category, including bleeding on the brain and swelling of the brain. If you start feeling more headaches shortly after the incident, it is crucial that you have your head examined by a doctor.
- Back or neck injury: Depending on the type of injury and severity, this can cause long-term issues, including nerve damage and paralysis. If you’re paralyzed as a result of your crash, you’re forced to change your life in a number of ways.
- Severe burns and abrasions: These injuries are often overlooked, but they’re common in motor vehicle crashes. For example, if your car catches fire and you’re unable to escape in time, it could lead to severe burns on various parts of your body.
- Organ damage: Internal injuries are every bit as serious as those that you can see. The problem with these is that since they’re not visible, so you may not realize that something is wrong until it is too late.
While these are among the most common types of injuries in a motor vehicle accident, there are many others that could impact you. Even if you’re feeling good enough to leave the scene under your own power, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Accept transportation to a local hospital and undergo a thorough examination.
As time allows, review your insurance policy, contact your agent to file a claim and take every step you can to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions.