Motor vehicle accidents, or car accidents, are a major cause of injuries, and those injuries can vary from very mild to severe in nature. The most severe of car accidents can cause death or dismemberment. Every year, there are more than 6 million accidents in the United States, resulting in approximately 3 million injuries and 45,000 deaths.
As the above statistics show, less than one percent of the car accidents results in a fatality. Nearly half of them, however, result in injuries. Some of the more common injuries are lacerations or cuts, broken bones, spinal injuries, neck injuries, bruises, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, and fractures. Since many of the injuries can be quite serious and life threatening, emergency response personnel are typically sent to the scene. Their job is to make an initial evaluation of injuries and determine which injuries are potentially serious. It is also very important to seek medical care following most accidents. Emergency room physicians are highly trained to look for life-threatening conditions and signs. They have technology available to them that can save lives.
Fortunatley, most patients are treated and released from emergency rooms the very same day of the accident. This does not mean, however, that these patients have not suffered significant injuries to bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. For this very reason, the second type of physician that should be consulted is your chiropractor.The visit to the chiropractor is just as important as your visit to the emergency room, since appropriate treatment by a chiropractor can help to prevent a life full of residual pain and disability.
Chiropractic physicians are highly trained in the evaluation and detection of joint, muscle, and other soft tissue damages. A good chiropractor will look for abnormal joint movements, muscle injury, and signs of nerve damages. If these types of injuries are present, the chiropractor will guide you through your efforts in obtaining a full recovery. It makes a lot of sense to seek non-drug or surgical care for these types of injuries, whenever possible. Drugs have their side affects, and surgery is risky and irreversible. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, is very affective and is associated with little or no negative side effects.
At times the injuries resulting from car accidents result in permanent physical disabilities. Again, these might be very mild inconveniences, or they might be significant and life altering. The chiropractor can recognize these issues and make the appropriate referrals as needed.
Although chiropractic care is very inexpensive, especially when compared to care at a hospital or emergency room, the bills can add up quickly. An attorney might be very beneficial in helping the injured person in obtaining the insurance coverage necissary to treat the injuries, and a financial settlement through the insurance companies to help the injured make the transition back into the post-accident life and to recoup expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
Auto accidents are very serious situations that should not be taken lightly. Seek help from professionals that are specifically trained to help you. They will help you to get back on your feet, return to work, prevent re-injury, and obtain the financial assistance required. They can help you to avoid dangerous pitfalls. The emergency response personnel, medical doctors, chiropractors, and personal injury attorney's are your allies.
Keith Biggs, DC
Biggs Chiropractic and Acupuncture
