From whiplash to wrist sprains, head injuries to road rash, car accidents can have the potential to cause severe damage to both your vehicle and you.
No one ever plans to be in a car accident, which leaves little room for preparation and knowing how to cope in the event of an injury.
According to a study published by Science Direct, 45% of car accident victims reported pain as late as two years after the car crash. While you can learn to live in a state of ongoing pain, our team believes you shouldn’t have to.
Keep reading as we break down some of the most common injuries after a car accident and how a pain management physician can help your acute or chronic pain.
Causes of Car Accidents in South Carolina
South Carolina may be home to beautiful beaches and historical sites, but it also happens to hold the title as the second most dangerous state to drive in.
In the most recent S.C. Department of Public Safety Traffic Collision Fact Book, South Carolina roadways saw the following car accidents:
- One traffic collision every 3.6 minutes
- One injury collision every 13.1 minutes
- One person injured every 8.5 minutes
Of the 147,724 collisions that occurred in 2021, the accidents resulted in over 53,000 injuries and nearly 1,200 deaths.
Major Causes of Car Accidents
According to state crash data from the S.C. Department of Public Safety, a roadway collision can involve several factors.
Some of the most common causes behind collisions and car accident injuries include:
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals: 195 serious injuries and 4,436 other injuries
- Distracted driving: 107 serious injuries and nearly 3,000 other injuries
- Driving too quickly in potentially unsafe conditions: 762 serious injuries and 15,030 other injuries
- Failing to yield the right-of-way: 554 serious injuries and nearly 15,000 other injuries
- Improper lane change or lane usage: 101 serious injuries and 2,158 other injuries
- Other improper driving actions: 56 serious injuries and 1,343 other car accident injuries
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents are unexpected and come with the capacity to cause minor to severe injuries, affecting your body anywhere from the top of your head down to your toes.
Here are some of the most common injuries car accident victims experience after a crash:
Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that occurs in the head, neck, and shoulder areas. A sudden jolt from an impact can cause the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to become injured, leading to increased neck pain. If not treated properly, whiplash can lead to chronic pain and other long-term effects.
Back Injuries
Suffering from a back injury after a car accident is among the most challenging in their recovery. Given that the spine is not equipped for strong force or impact, an injury to the back and spine can lead to chronic pain and severe, long-lasting effects.
Broken bones and Fractures
Depending on the force of the impact, any bone in your body can become broken or fractured. The most common fracture is to the ribs, given the location of the steering wheel. Bones that have been severely fractured or broken may require more time and additional pain management practices to recover.
Knee Trauma
The road to recovery is a long and winding road when it comes to the knee. Car accident victims can end up with damage to the ligaments and muscles surrounding the knee and even suffer from damage to the kneecap itself. Depending on the scope of the injury, braces or crutches may be required to help in the healing process.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is when a disc in your spine moves out of place, resulting in serious discomfort, pain, and other symptoms. If not treated properly or in a timely manner, complications such as sciatica may develop.
Seeking Relief from a Pain Management Clinic Near You
When seeking relief for a car accident injury – and the resulting pain that follows – the last thing you want to do is undergo surgery or endure mornings filled with medication.
So, if surgery and medication are not the answer, how do you cope with the pain and discomfort following your motor vehicle injury?
At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we believe in utilizing interventional pain management practices, a specialty that utilizes minimally invasive procedures to treat your chronic and acute pain. Common interventional pain management treatments associated with car accident injuries include:
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- Medial branch blocks
- Facet joint injections
Your pain management physician will assess your injury and pain levels and create a personalized treatment approach based on your injuries, medical history, and other factors.
Ready to Hit the Road Toward Pain Relief? Talk to Pain Specialists of Charleston
An injury from a car accident can last long after insurance is exchanged and your car is repaired. With chronic pain and discomfort being common after a motor vehicle injury, you don’t deserve to settle with pain being your new normal.
Don’t let your pain stand in the way of your quality of life. At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help you get back on your feet and move forward pain-free.
Your trusted local specialists take a non-surgical, customized approach to pain management to offer you much-needed relief. We’re open five days a week and accepting new patients – no referral needed! Schedule an appointment today!
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Published November 2024
