Car Accident/MVA/Injuries

Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle collisions are responsible for 2.3 million injuries every year and are one of the most common causes of serious injuries among adults (http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/ ).  The groups most at risk of serious injuries from motor vehicle accidents include children, teens and senior citizens.  Pedestrians and bicyclists make up a large percentage of injuries and account for nearly half of the deaths caused by MVAs worldwide. 

Whiplash is a common term for a variety of soft-tissue injuries that can occur during an auto accident.  When a vehicle comes to a sudden stop due to a collision, the driver and passengers may experience a swift jerking motion caused by the loss of vehicle inertia.  The medical term for this is "cervical acceleration-deceleration," and all injuries with similar symptoms are generally referred to as "whiplash associated disorders." 

These injuries can cause damage to the tendons, ligaments, muscles and vertebral discs, and treatments will vary depending on the type and severity of the injury.  The use of analgesics, especially NSAIDs, can be helpful in managing pain.  Some patients may be placed in a neck brace to allow the neck and surrounding structures to rest.  

Common whiplash symptoms include neck and back pain, shoulder pain, loss of sensation to the arms and legs, and headaches.  Some patients experience symptoms immediately after the collision, but most symptoms set in and worsen in the days following the accident.  It's estimated that more than one million drivers and passengers experience a whiplash associated disorder each year. 

Other vehicle-related injuries differ depending on the type of collision.  Here are some of the more common injuries:

-- Lacerations, especially head wounds caused by the patient hitting his or her head on the car's frame or windshield

-- Abrasions from the airbag

-- Cracked or broken ribs from the seatbelt

-- Bone fractures, especially in severe accidents where the driver's arms or legs might be crushed

After an auto accident, it's a good idea to seek medical attention.  You may not begin to experience symptoms until after the adrenaline from the crash has subsided, but a doctor can complete a basic diagnostic exam to determine whether there are any serious injuries that need to be attended to.

Injury

Injury

"Injury" is a broad category encompassing all kinds of unexpected damage that may occur to the body.  Injuries account for a large percentage of the cases seen by emergency rooms and doctors offices each day, and the CDC reports that emergency service personnel are called to approximately 37.9 million injury cases each year (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm ). 

Some common causes of injuries include household accidents, motor vehicle collisions and sports accidents.  In any case, an injury that's caused by a sudden event can be generally classified as a traumatic injury.  Other injuries might arise from repetitive stress or overuse of a body part.  One example of a repetitive stress injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, where the repeated use of a joint causes it to inflame and stiffen.

The severity of an injury is determined by the number of tissues involved and the extent of the damage to these tissues.  In general, soft-tissue injuries -- or injuries to the muscles and ligaments -- are considered less severe than bone fractures or injuries that spread to the body's internal organs.  Open wounds pose a greater risk of blood loss and infection, which can both be very serious if left untreated. 

Treatment for injuries will vary depending on the type of injury sustained.  Most treatments involve allowing the injured area to rest so that it might heal on its own.  Pain management is an important aspect of medical care for injuries.  NSAIDs can reduce inflammation and reduce pain symptoms.  Opium-based medications can provide greater pain relief for more serious injuries.  Other types of drugs, including muscle relaxants, can be useful in pain management. 

In cases where infection is possible, the patient may need antibiotics as well.  Finally, open wounds may require stitches to aid in healing, and severe fractures and internal injuries could require surgical intervention.  Only after a thorough examination can a doctor determine exactly what treatment is needed for a particular injury.