Conditions

Auto Accidents

What Does an Auto Accident Mean?

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, we can help. We know that auto accidents are stressful and scary, but they don’t have to be complicated. The most important thing is to get proper injury care as soon as possible to begin feeling better sooner. The term “auto accident” refers to any type of collision involving one or more vehicles on public roadways. They can cause property damage, bodily injuries, and even death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly three million drivers suffer injuries and about two million drivers suffer permanent injuries from car accidents each year.

Auto Accident Treatment OH

Auto Accidents: Their Causes

The most common cause of a auto accident is driver error, accounting for 94% of them.

The following can be included:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted Driving (e.g., using a cell phone)
  • Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol and fatigue.

Other factors that contribute to more than 90 percent of American crashes, such as road rage, tailgating, and violations of traffic rules, such as not obeying light signals. The odds of an accident increased dramatically if you failed to observe pedestrians and traffic correctly at an intersection or operated a vehicle with mechanical defects.

What Are the Common Symptoms After a Car Accident?

There are many potential symptoms of a car accident. When an auto accident occurs, the occupants in the vehicle can be quickly jostled around. This sudden movement of starting and stopping can cause injuries to a variety of areas. Some injuries related to car accidents include:

  • Whiplash
  • Neck or Shoulder Pain
  • Headaches
  • Low Back Pain
  • Blurry Vision
  • Concussion
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Injuries resulting from auto accidents do not always occur immediately after the accident.  Often, the pain will begin over the 24-48 hours following the accident.

Causes of these pains may be from:

  • Stress
  • Muscle tension.
  • Injury to the joints, tendons, or muscles.
  • Nerve or tissue damage.

Bruising

When your capillaries are damaged, blood from the vessels seeps to the surface of your skin and forms a bruise. It can take time for all of this damage to become visible because it takes some time before enough blood reaches the outer layers so you won’t be able to see everything initially.

Numbness or Tingling

Nerve or tissue damage can be a sign of nerve injury. This is especially true in the back, neck, shoulders, and hands/feet. Sometimes this leads to pain as well – it’s important to tell your doctor about these symptoms ASAP.

Changes in Mood

Mood changes after a car accident may include anxiety, depression, or even personality changes. Symptoms of these emotions may be stronger if you have also suffered a concussion.

Dizziness or Loss of Balance

When the head and neck are ‘whipped’ in an auto accident, this can lead to dysfunctions causing dizziness, blurred vision and even loss of balance. This should be addressed with your doctor.

Swelling

After an accident, the area of your body that has been affected by trauma may experience swelling. This can worsen over the first several days and is often a sign of underlying injuries.

Pain

Pain occurs when the bones, joints or soft tissues in the body are injured in some way. Pain from auto injuries can often last for several days to several months. It is important that pain resulting from an automobile accident be evaluated.

Trouble Concentrating or Remembering

If you have been in a car accident and are feeling foggy or forgetful, go and see your doctor, make sure that there is nothing more serious going on. You could be dealing with stress from the accident which is a brain trauma that needs medical attention immediately.

What Are the Causes of Auto Accidents

There are many potential symptoms of a car accident. When an auto accident occurs, the occupants in the vehicle can be quickly jostled around. This sudden movement of starting and stopping can cause injuries to a variety of areas. Some injuries related to car accidents include:

  • Whiplash
  • Neck or Shoulder Pain
  • Headaches
  • Low Back Pain
  • Blurry Vision
  • Concussion
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Auto accidents are predominantly caused by driver error, which is responsible for approximately 94% of all incidents. Recognizing and addressing these common errors can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Primary Causes Include:

Speeding

Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for conditions is one of the leading contributors to vehicle accidents.

Distracted Driving

Activities such as using a cell phone, eating, or adjusting the radio can divert a driver’s attention from the road.

Impaired Driving

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even severe fatigue impairs judgment and reaction times, dramatically increasing the risk of accidents.

Additional Risk Factors:

Aggressive Driving

Behaviors like road rage, tailgating, and erratic lane changes are significant hazards.

Traffic Rule Violations

Ignoring traffic signals, failing to yield the right of way, and improper turning are frequent causes of mishaps.

Mechanical Issues

Poor vehicle maintenance can lead to failures that precipitate accidents, especially when safety-critical systems like brakes or steering are involved.

Signs and Symptoms

Bruising

When your capillaries are damaged, blood from the vessels seeps to the surface of your skin and forms a bruise. It can take time for all of this damage to become visible because it takes some time before enough blood reaches the outer layers so you won’t be able to see everything initially.

Numbness or Tingling

Nerve or tissue damage can be a sign of nerve injury. This is especially true in the back, neck, shoulders, and hands/feet. Sometimes this leads to pain as well – it’s important to tell your doctor about these symptoms ASAP.

Changes in Mood

Mood changes after a car accident may include anxiety, depression, or even personality changes. Symptoms of these emotions may be stronger if you have also suffered a concussion.

Dizziness or Loss of Balance

When the head and neck are ‘whipped’ in an auto accident, this can lead to dysfunctions causing dizziness, blurred vision and even loss of balance. This should be addressed with your doctor.

Swelling

After an accident, the area of your body that has been affected by trauma may experience swelling. This can worsen over the first several days and is often a sign of underlying injuries.

Pain

Pain occurs when the bones, joints or soft tissues in the body are injured in some way. Pain from auto injuries can often last for several days to several months. It is important that pain resulting from an automobile accident be evaluated.

Trouble Concentrating or Remembering

If you have been in a car accident and are feeling foggy or forgetful, go and see your doctor, make sure that there is nothing more serious going on. You could be dealing with stress from the accident which is a brain trauma that needs medical attention immediately.

Schedule for Auto Accident Treatment at N8 Family Chiropractic

Our professional team of providers and staff will provide you with the care that’s right for you.

Injuries Caused By Auto-Accident

Chiropractic Treatment for Auto Accidents

Chiropractic care is crucial for anyone involved in an auto accident. Even low-speed crashes can cause significant spinal and joint misalignments, leading to chronic pain. At N8 Family Chiropractic, our expert chiropractors utilize advanced techniques to realign your spine and reduce inflammation, easing pain and improving mobility effectively.

At N8 Family Chiropractic, we understand that every auto accident and individual response is unique. Our holistic approach includes spinal adjustments, muscle rehabilitation, posture analysis, and ergonomic counseling to ensure a thorough recovery and prevent future issues. We work closely with you to provide education on essential follow-up care and home exercises that strengthen your body and safeguard against long-term damage. Trust us to restore your health and well-being with care that’s tailored to your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions for Chiropractic Treatment for Auto Accidents

What types of auto-accident injuries can chiropractic care treat?

Chiropractic care can effectively treat a variety of injuries commonly sustained in auto accidents, such as whiplash, back and neck injuries, sprains, strains, and joint issues. It can also help address less obvious post-accident problems like chronic headaches, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

It is advisable to consult a chiropractor as soon as possible after an auto accident, even if you do not initially feel pain. Some injuries, like whiplash, may not show symptoms immediately. Early intervention can help prevent chronic pain and complications that might develop if injuries are left untreated.

During your first visit, the chiropractor will conduct a thorough examination, including a detailed history and possibly X-rays, to assess your injuries. They will look for any areas of restricted movement and assess the severity of your pain and its impact on your mobility. Based on the findings, they will develop a personalized treatment plan aimed at pain relief and recovery.

Chiropractic care focuses on the natural healing of the body without the use of drugs or surgery. It emphasizes manual adjustments to correct spinal alignment and improve body function. This approach helps reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve the body’s ability to heal itself, often in conjunction with other medical treatments or therapies.

In many cases, chiropractic care is covered by auto insurance policies if it is deemed medically necessary following an accident. Coverage details can vary, so it’s important to check with your insurance provider about your specific benefits. Additionally, the chiropractic office may assist with the insurance claims process.

Schedule for Auto Accident Treatment at N8 Family Chiropractic

Our professional team of providers and staff will provide you with the care that’s right for you.