If you or someone you know has been in a rear-end collision, then they may have suffered some minor injuries. Some car accident injuries are more common than others, depending on the type of wreck that occurred. When you meet with a car accident doctor, they will want to know whether or not you were in a rear-end collision. When another vehicle hits your car from behind, it can cause injuries that may affect any part of the body. You might not recognize you have suffered a rear-end collision injury right away because the stress and shock of the accident has kept you from experiencing symptoms yet. That’s why you want to visit a car accident doctor as soon as possible after a wreck to get checked out for some of the common injuries that can occur.
Top 3 Rear-End Collision Injuries
The top three rear-end collision injuries include whiplash, back pain, and a herniated disc. A rear-end collision can cause damage to your head, neck, and back and leave you in pain. A car accident doctor can diagnose your specific injury and get you started on a treatment plan that works for you.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common rear-end collision injury. The sudden impact of another vehicle with yours can make your head snap forward and backward violently. This type of jolt can significantly impact the soft tissues in your neck, causing muscles and tendons to strain or even tear. Whiplash symptoms can include headaches, neck pain, stiffness, soreness, and difficulty turning your head in certain directions. You may not experience whiplash symptoms right away, and this type of car accident injury is known as a hidden injury because of how the symptoms can be delayed.
Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common experiences people have after a car accident. Even though the seat belt is designed to hold you in place and prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle during an accident, it cannot keep you from getting injured. The force of impact can jostle your body and cause you to stretch and strain against the seat belt. Your back is also under a lot of pressure, and a car accident can cause soft tissue damage to the muscles that provide support to your spine. Spinal injuries can occur with car accident injuries that can cause pain and discomfort in other areas of the body, too.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc refers to an injury of the spinal disc that separates two vertebrae. The spinal column runs from the base of the brain through to your buttocks and includes a series of vertebrae stacked on top of one another. In between each vertebra is a spinal disc that helps to absorb shock and cushion the bones. A spinal disc can be damaged by a car accident and cause it to slip out of its normal space between two vertebrae. This can cause the vertebrae to rub against one another, causing bone-on-bone pain. The spinal disc can also put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, tingling, and numbness in your extremities.
Treatment Options for Rear-End Collision Injuries
In order for your car accident doctor to determine the best treatment option for a rear-end collision injury, they will first need to determine the most accurate diagnosis. Your car accident doctor may utilize diagnostic imaging tools like X-rays or CT scans to get a clearer look at injury sites. These tools can also help to rule out other potential injuries. Once your doctor has diagnosed the rear-end collision injury, they can create an individualized treatment plan just for you. Many car accident injuries can be treated with non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment options like rest, ice, chiropractic care, and manual therapies. A rear-end collision injury like whiplash can affect your ability to move your head and neck like normal, so your doctor may also recommend stretches and exercises to help regain strength and range of motion in the area. Part of your treatment and recovery from a car accident injury will involve addressing and swelling and inflammation so your body can receive a healthy flow of oxygen and nutrients.
Learn more about a car accident doctor can help you recover from a rear-end collision injury at our AICA Orthopedics office in Snellville. Our team of car accident doctors and chiropractors regularly treat common injuries associated with car accident injuries and can provide you with comprehensive treatment and care.