Whether you’re driving to work or taking a big family vacation, an unexpected car accident can cause painful injuries that may impact you for months and years to come. The weight of your vehicle combined with your speed can create a tremendous amount of force. During an auto accident, that force gets transferred directly to your body! Even "low speed" collisions can create enough force to cause serious injuries.
Seat belts save millions of lives each year and should be used every time you enter a vehicle. No questions. What you may not know is that they also can contribute to a few of the most common spinal injuries seen following an auto accident.
The sudden stop or change in direction that often occurs during a car accident can place a tremendous amount of force on your chest. Your unsecured arms and legs can also strike your vehicle’s interior, causing injury.
If you're in a car accident, regardless of whether it's major or minor, it is important to seek medical attention. Properly documenting your cuts and scrapes, evaluating your spine, and evaluating if you've suffered any head injuries is nearly impossible to do without the help of a trained medical professional, so don’t put it off. Make a mental note right now to make it a priority and know that Dr. Hertz is always here to help if you have any questions or have recently experienced an auto accident yourself.
Science Source(s):
The Impact of Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained in Road Traffic Crashes on Work-Related Outcomes: a Protocol for a Systematic Review. BMC. 2018.