What Kind of Medical Attention is Required after a Car Accident

Car accidents have the potential to cause serious and painful injuries. In some cases, injuries are obvious immediately after the accident, while minor injuries might take a day or two to become evident. You might need these types of medical attention after being injured in a car accident.

Triage Assessment from the Paramedics

If you suspect that you have been injured in an accident, the best response is to call 911 or your local emergency service number. Tell the operator that you have just been in a car accident and that you are injured. The operator will send police and paramedics to your location. The paramedics will perform triage. If needed, they will transport you for emergency care at a hospital.

Learn Safe Driving Habits

It is important to learn safe driving habits that could lower your risk of becoming injured in a car accident. Professionals, like those at Loughlin Fitzgerald PC, know that you should always wear your safety belt, avoid distractions while driving, and be aware of other drivers at all times. Adjust your mirrors and use your headlights whenever you have your windshield wipers on. Consider taking a defensive driving class to brush up an additional driving skills.

Wound and Fracture Care

Cuts, abrasions, punctures and fractures are common injuries in a car accident. You might need to have stitches for a large or deep wound. A dressing may be applied to cuts and abrasions. Fracture care is performed in the emergency room. A severe fracture might require surgery in order to repair the damage caused by the car accident.

Physical Therapy or Chiropractic Treatment

Even a minor car accident could cause you to experience soft tissue injuries such as whiplash or a strained shoulder. For these types of injuries, you might benefit from physical therapy. The physical therapist will show you stretching and strengthening exercises to help restore your range of motion and flexibility. Chiropractic care helps to realign your spine and heal the soft tissues that are connected to your spinal column. Physical therapy and chiropractic care can be paired with other types of medical attention after an accident.

It is important to be immediately evaluated for injuries after a car accident. The paramedics are a valuable resource to help assess the severity of your injuries. Even if you are not sent straight to the nearest emergency room, you might want to have a responsible adult at home to observe you for a day or two after the accident in case you have delayed symptoms of a concussion.