There is a misconception that injury correlates with the extent of the accident, but this is not necessarily true. While your chances and severity of injuries increase with the extent of the accident, some factors will leave you at risk, even if you experience a small “fender bender.” Here are some reasons why even a small accident can lead to injuries.
Not Wearing a Seatbelt
“Click it or Ticket” is a popular campaign run by police departments nationwide to incentivize people to wear seatbelts. And while no one wants a ticket, more people should be concerned with what can happen when they fail to “click it.” That’s because when you do not wear a seatbelt, you are far more likely to be injured, and that can mean hitting your head, hitting the dashboard or windshield, or being ejected from the car. Never should a child forego car seats, either. Be sure to use a car seat that is right for the child’s age and weight, and check with your local police department that you have secured it in place properly.
Airbags
Airbags are made to deploy when you hit something at a speed of approximately 14 mph or faster, which is probably slower than when you drive through a parking lot or on your driveway. Even though airbags are designed to protect you from being tossed about the car or hitting the dash or windscreen during a collision, the force of the airbag whilst being deployed has been known to blacken a few eyes and knock out some teeth. Caution should be taken also when passengers keep their feet on the dash; should the airbag deploy, it could do serious damage to their legs and spine.
Bumps, Cuts and Bruises
Your body is a delicate thing, and is vulnerable to bumps, cuts, abrasions andbruises that can result from even a “small” car accident. Tend to these injuries when you notice them; don’t let cuts fester and be sure to remove any broken glass. Tend to bumps and bruises. If you believe you might have damaged cartilage or bone, see a doctor immediately.
Whiplash and Other Injuries
The head, neck, and spine can be injured with even the slightest force. And while an accident at 20 miles an hour undoubtedly should cause less injury than one at a higher speed, a 20 mile an hour impact to your neck, spine, head or back can still cause damage.
Concussions
There is nothing funny about being concussed. Look for symptoms – headache, blurred vision, confusion – and seek help immediately. If the bonk to the head was significant, there could be internal bleeding which could result in a subdural hematoma. Not treating concussions can have devastating long-term effects. If you suspect you might have been concussed, or have experienced a traumatic brain injury, seek treatment immediately.
If you are a part of an accident, make sure to go see a doctor as soon as possible – even if your accident is minor and even if you don’t feel any symptoms. Too often, car accident-related symptoms take a few days to appear and seeking treatment too late can cause complications, injuries to worsen, and longer healing times.
The board-certified physicians at the Brooks Clinic specialize in treating all kinds of injuries and they specialize in car accident injuries, specifically. If you were injured in a car accident or in another way, call 405-400-0877 to make an appointment today.
