Despite advancements in motor vehicle safety and updated traffic laws, car accidents are responsible for a large number of injuries and fatalities across the country. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that there were over 400,000 motor vehicle crashes between 2021 and early 2022. Of those crashes, over 250,000 resulted in injuries and nearly 4,000 resulted in fatalities.
Although car accidents make up a small number of the total emergency room visits in Florida, many head and neck injuries commonly occur during car accidents. If you experience pain or stiffness after a car accident, you may have sustained an injury that requires a medical examination.
At Naples Community Injury Center, we provide top-quality treatment for car accident injuries in Naples, Florida. Call our Naples office today at 239-631-5445 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment.
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Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
A variety of injuries can result from a car accident. Almost all car accident victims will experience minor injuries like bruising, but some can result in more serious injuries. The most commonly injured areas include the head, neck, back, joints (such as the ankles and wrists), hands, and feet.
Pain, swelling, numbness, and stiffness felt in these areas can be a cause for concern. Any decreased range of motion or abnormal sensations can be an indicator that you are experiencing a serious injury. These symptoms can be a result of:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries (injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons)
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Broken or fractured bones
- Bruised ribs
- Sprained joints
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
Of these injuries, whiplash is most frequently sustained. This is caused by a sudden, rapid movement of the neck which is usually seen in many rear-end accidents. The muscles in the neck are stretched beyond their normal capabilities very quickly which can cause stiffness, soreness, and sometimes long-term conditions. Whiplash can often go away on its own, but sometimes it can cause chronic neck pain and other long-term difficulties.
Symptoms of a Serious Car Accident Injury
The symptoms experienced after sustaining a car accident injury can vary depending on the nature of the injury. However, some of the more common injuries associated with victims of car accidents are:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discomfort between the shoulder blades, rib cage, or lower back
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or buttocks
- Headache or migraines
- Stiffness and difficulty moving the neck or back
Some Car Accident Injuries Can Take Days to Be Noticeable
Obvious injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, and lacerations are apparent almost immediately after a car accident. However, some injuries may not be noticeable for a few days or weeks. The adrenaline you experience during a car accident can prevent you from feeling the effects of an injury. Later, when it wears off, you may start to notice signs in your body that something is wrong.
Whether you feel fine or not, you should always be examined by a medical professional following a car accident, and in the days immediately afterward, you should assess whether you are developing any health issues. Headaches, back pain, and whiplash, in particular, can take a few days to manifest. As soon as you are aware of a problem, you should seek medical care.
What If I Feel Fine After a Car Accident?
Seek medical attention! It is very rare that car accident victims walk away without some sort of injury. Though you may feel fine and do not want to deal with the hassle of visiting the doctor, you will be better off in the long run if you do.
How Serious Can My Car Accident Injuries Be?
The severity of an injury after a motor vehicle accident can vary. For example, whether someone was wearing a seatbelt, what direction they were facing during the collision, and how fast the car was going at the time of the accident can all determine the outcome of possible injuries.
Most injuries fall into one of two categories: impact injuries or penetrating injuries. As the name suggests, impact injuries are the result of a person’s body hitting or being hit by something. This usually results in bruising, whiplash, and most back, head, and neck injuries. Impact injuries can take a few days to be noticeable in some cases, as they are not outwardly visible.
Penetrating injuries are typically seen as cuts or lacerations stemming from an object piercing (or “penetrating”) the body. These injuries are typically caused by shattered glass or by loose objects flying around inside the car.
No matter what type of injury you may have sustained, our physicians at the Naples Community Injury Center are equipped to diagnose and treat your condition.
Determining Car Accident Injuries During a Medical Examination
Diagnosis can require methods of examination like symptom assessment or physical examination. For injuries that cannot be seen with the naked eye, imaging exams can help identify the extent of an injury and determine a doctor’s most effective course of action. These can include:
- X-Rays
- CT Scans
- MRIs
Our team at Naples Community Injury Center includes experienced medical specialists who can diagnose and treat your accident injuries. We can treat everything from minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, and bruises to major conditions requiring the expertise of our neurosurgeon. Your custom treatment plan may include a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and medicine to treat and care for your injuries. Your physician can help plan out your treatment with you during your visit.
Treatment for Non-Emergency Car Accident Injuries
Even minor injuries should be treated as soon as possible. If you sustained any injuries following a car accident or even a few days after the accident, it is necessary to have a physician examine you.
Your health is important to us. The physicians and medical professionals at the Naples Community Injury Center are here to handle your non-emergency car accident injuries.
Get Top-Rated Care for Car Accident Injuries in Naples!
If you were recently involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to seek medical treatment and examination. Only a doctor can determine the severity and extent of your injuries.
Call us at 239-631-5445 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment at our office in Naples. Our team of medical professionals at Naples Community Injury Center is standing by, ready to help, and dedicated to providing you the best care possible for car accident injuries in Naples.
