Car accidents account for about 2.9 million injuries in the US each year. Most victims get out of the accident scenes unharmed or suffer minor injuries that heal on their own with time. Others get serious injuries that cause complications on their health and well-being. Here are five common long-term complications caused by auto accidents.
Chronic Back Pain
Whiplash often feels harmless after a collision or emergency brake. However, the pain you experience after some days can be debilitating. When the car collides, the neck, back and head move in a manner that causes serious inflammations in the spinal cord. This can lead to a chronic back neck pain. The pain can interrupt your normal activities and even affect your movements. You may also experience headaches, nausea, and tingling and numbness.
Post-Concussion Syndrome
A car accident can cause a concussion. Most people usually recover within three months after the concussion. Others develop a complication known as post-concussion syndrome. People with this syndrome experience frequent headaches and dizziness. Others may struggle to complete simple tasks and feel out of place. Long-term memory problems can also persist after a concussion. These symptoms can take a toll on an individual’s quality of life. They can interfere with the individual’s ability to function optimally in different setups. They can also cause great difficulties in personal relationships and make people become more irritated.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that occurs when a person undergoes a traumatic experience in which there is a serious physical harm. This condition is common among auto accident victims and accounts for a larger percentage of frequent hospital visits. It manifests itself in the form of intense fear, helplessness and horror. Someone with this condition may develop abnormal feelings such as aggressiveness, uncontrolled anger and guilt. The intensity of these feelings increases as the person continues to relive the ordeal. The person may also begin to avoid people, develop insomnia and become more anxious and stressed.
Head Injuries
Head injuries lead to serious long-term complications that can take a toll on an individual’s ability to move, respond and even talk. Such injuries can lead to altered states of consciousness like coma, vegetative state, locked-in syndrome and brain death. Head injuries can also cause seizures, fluid buildup, infections, nerve damages, cognitive problems and behavioral changes. It is imperative to talk to lawyer about your condition to determine the right course of action. Experts at Christensen & Hymas can help you properly file for legal compensation you may be entitled to.
Muscular injuries
The sudden movement of the body during an accident can cause the muscles to stretch too far or even tear. The tearing and stretching can damage the small blood vessels and cause local bleeding or bruising. People with muscle injuries often experience a lot of pain at rest. The most common areas affected include the knees, back, neck, hips and arms. Muscle injuries can also interfere with a person’s ability to move and carry out simple tasks. In most cases, the person will be confined to a wheelchair for a long time.
It is very important to seek immediate medical attention after an accident to minimize the risk of developing long-term complications. Even if the injury is minor, call your doctor immediately to get it checked.
Proper care and medical attention is essential for those who have developed long-term complications. This includes keeping regular appointments, following the doctor’s instructions and eating a healthy diet.
People with long-term complications should also keep in touch with a qualified personal injury lawyer to help them get compensations for the damages caused. A personal injury lawyer will establish a case and file it with the relevant court for consideration. Most victims who develop long-term complications get huge compensations.
