Why Minor Car Accidents Are Still A Cause For Serious Injuries

It’s common for those in minor accidents to brush off the incident as merely a few scratches and bruises, with no severe injuries to speak of. 

Common minor accidents such as fender benders are a perfect example of this, where those involved disregard any personal injury and worry about the damage done to their car. 

Well, minor car accidents can result in serious injuries either immediately or long-term. Because of this, it’s crucial to visit a doctor regardless of whether the accident resulted in no immediate apparent injuries.

In this piece, we’ll dive into common serious injuries that can result from minor accidents:

Whiplash injuries

When a car is involved in a collision, this exerts a force on the physical body far greater than what it’s designed for. Particularly if a car is traveling and comes to an immediate stop, this momentum is going to result in a passenger’s neck experiencing a significant amount of stress and hyperextension. After all, the neck isn’t designed to be whipped back and forth rapidly, and this causes what’s known as whiplash injuries – strains on ligaments, tendons, and even spinal injuries. In extreme cases, especially if the point of impact is behind the passenger then surgical intervention is required due to extensive injury to the vertebrae.

Injured muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In addition to injuries to the neck, minor car accidents can also seriously damage the musculoskeletal system. A surge of adrenaline may mask any immediate pain felt during the accident but after some time, any injuries to muscles, ligaments, or tendons will manifest. If ignored and not treated immediately, this can cause more serious and permanent damage. Sprains, strains, and even tears can happen and result in swelling and bruising seen a few days later.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Beyond physical injuries, mental and emotional trauma is also something to keep in mind after a minor car accident. A disorder that needs immediate care and attention is PTSD which can manifest over time and result in heightened anxiety, fear, irritability – all of which can start to impact quality of life daily. 

All of these injuries can be mild to severe but what’s important is only a medical professional can ascertain the severity and whether treatment is required. If left unchecked, it can result in permanent effects. Next time you’re involved in a minor accident, though your mind may be on sorting out the damage to the car, be sure to visit the emergency room as well for a check-up.