How Do Different Types of Car Accidents Affect the Body?

Different types of car accidents can affect the body in different ways. The point of impact, combined with the age and weight of an injured passenger, can all contribute to the likelihood of certain injuries. For example, according to Mayo Clinic, rear-end collisions are more likely to cause whiplash than any other type of crash.

According to “Motor Vehicle Collisions,” near-side collisions frequently result in trauma to the abdomen, head, neck, and chest because of the force of impact against the steering wheel or dashboard.

The type of car accident you were involved in could influence your course of medical treatment. If you were involved in a car accident, you may benefit from the services that a chiropractor in your area has to offer.

Types of Injuries and the Car Accidents That Cause Them

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that non-fatal car accidents result in injuries for over 3 million people a year nationwide. The organization says that any type of collision has the propensity to cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord trauma.

Some examples of car accidents that can result in life-threatening injuries include:

Rear-End Collisions

We mentioned earlier that rear-end collisions can result in whiplash. However, these collisions can also result in spinal cord trauma, according to “Motor Vehicle Collisions.” The force of impact involved in a rear-end collision can result in injuries that cause chronic pain and discomfort.

Near-Side Collisions

Also known as “T-bone” collisions, these crashes occur when a vehicle collides with another vehicle’s side or rear door.

According to “Motor Vehicle Collisions,” these types of accidents can result in:

Organ damage
Pelvic fractures
Skull fractures
Rib fractures
Internal bleeding

The passengers closest to the point of impact will likely suffer more severe injuries than those seated elsewhere.

Regardless of the type of collision you were involved in, you should seek prompt medical care for your condition. Sometimes, the adrenaline of being involved in a crash can mask potentially harmful injuries. You should take proactive measures that seek to address your health and wellbeing.

Whiplash and Spinal Cord Injuries Can Stem from Auto Accidents

“Motor Vehicle Accidents” notes that a person’s weight and age can factor in the severity of their car accident injuries. For example, in a side-impact collision, children are more at risk for serious injuries than their adult counterparts, according to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine. This is because their bones are still developing and may not be able to sustain as much force when compared to an adult’s.

One of the most common injuries that can result from any motor vehicle accident is whiplash, according to Mayo Clinic. The organization states that a whiplash injury can occur when one’s neck snaps like the crack of a whip. When a whiplash injury happens, it can leave victims with a variety of symptoms, such as neck pain and stiffness, headaches, a limited range of motion in the neck, tenderness in the shoulders, and numbness.

Spinal cord injuries can also result from car accidents, according to the National Spinal Cord Statistical Center. This source notes that motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in 2015. Mayo Clinic states that spinal cord injuries may cause “damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal.”

Spinal cord injuries may not be easily noticed by the victim of a crash, as these injuries may require medical treatment to diagnose.

Some common symptoms related to spinal cord injuries as stated by Mayo Clinic include, but are not limited to:

Loss of movement
Inability to feel heat, cold and touch
Bladder control difficulties
Spasms
Breathing difficulties

Again, if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should seek prompt medical care for your injuries.

Contact Dominguez Chiropractic To Seek Medical Help

If you have recently suffered injuries from a car accident in the Atlanta, GA, metro area, consider seeking medical attention from Dominguez Chiropractic. With five locations throughout the state, our practice can help you understand how different types of car accidents affect the body.

We also provide customized treatment plans that can help you recover from an auto accident. Dominguez Chiropractic is a one-stop auto injury center that can treat you after any type of collision.

Our team can:

Provide treatment for your collision-related injuries
Help you file an auto insurance claim
Refer you to a personal injury lawyer, if necessary
Help you seek repairs to your vehicle

To learn more about receiving treatment, call Dominguez Chiropractic at (404) 800-3000.

Your Recovery
Is Our Priority

Dr. Dominguez is a highly regarded chiropractor in the Atlanta area. Her practice, Dominguez Chiropractic, specializes in helping victims of car accidents, job accidents, and sports accidents, as well as those who can benefit from nutritional consulting. Our team provides the best chiropractic solutions for all your pains and injuries, setting you on the path to a happier, healthier self.

How Do Different Types of Car Accidents Affect the Body?