Drivers have to be very careful when they get behind the wheel to prevent an accident from occurring. But even careful drivers get into accidents now and again. Before starting up your engine, it is of vital importance that your vehicle is road-worthy. Even minor car problems can result in accidents, so you should get your car serviced every so often by a reputable mechanic.
There are lots of different types of road accidents that cause injuries. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common road traffic accident injuries:
Head injuries
If a person involved in a car accident hits their head, they might acquire a serious brain injury. If they hit their head violently, they might suffer from brain damage, however, this isn’t always the case. Some people who sustain a brain injury only sustain mild injuries.
Immediately after the accident, it’s difficult for medical experts to see how badly the injury is. If they expect the worst, you can assume the patient will have to undergo treatment shortly after the accident occurred. They are likely to keep the patient in the hospital until they feel it is safe for them to return home.
Because road traffic accidents happen every day, hospitals are prepared for the worst-case scenario. You should make immediate contact with a medical professional after an accident occurs, especially if someone involved has hit their head. If an open head wound isn’t treated, it could leave permanent scarring, and it could get infected. Even if the individual who has sustained a head injury seems fine shortly after the accident, it’s important to get a doctor to take a look at them. Just because the patient doesn’t have any symptoms, doesn’t mean they haven’t sustained a serious injury. If you have been into an accident, you need to receive all the compensation you deserve, including medical expenses and lost wages. Also, you can check out San Diego accident claims to know more about this.
Neck injuries
A person’s neck is vulnerable to injury during a road traffic accident. Although the individual might not feel any pain after the accident, they might start to feel pain a few days later.
Long-term complications can cause a lot of issues, so you should seek medical attention if you notice any pain developing, even weeks after the accident occurred. Long-term medical bills can put a person out of pocket, so people are advised to contact the police to report the accident and contact a reputable law firm that specialises in road traffic accidents.
Back injuries
If you sustain a back injury during a car accident, don’t expect the symptoms to disappear over the next few days. Back injuries can last a lifetime, and they can limit your mobility. Because back injuries cause a lot of discomfort and pain, you might struggle to sit down, fall asleep, and go to work. If your current job is physically demanding, a back injury might cause you to lose your job.
Speak to an experienced orthopedist about your problem. They should be able to provide you with medication to reduce the pain, and they might teach you a few different techniques to help relieve the symptoms.
Psychological injuries
Just because you can feel or see an injury, doesn’t mean it’s not there. After a traumatic auto accident, people should be aware of the psychological impact it can cause. If people suffer from severe injuries, or a person dies, it can have a devastating impact on a person’s emotions.
Posttraumatic stress is a common psychological injury people suffer after being involved in an accident. Depression and emotional distress are also common. Some people only experience short term psychological problems, while others suffer from them for the rest of their lives.
If you suffered any psychological damage during or after an accident, consider speaking with a trained psychologist. Trying to deal with psychological injuries without professional advice won’t be easy.
What are the main reasons auto accidents occur?
There are several reasons why accidents happen on the road. However, almost all traffic accidents can be avoided.
Here are the main reasons why auto accidents occur:
- Fatigue. We all know that a good night’s sleep can help us maintain a healthy lifestyle, but people should remember that if they feel tired while driving, they could cause a serious road traffic accident. Driver fatigue is the main reason why road traffic accidents occur. If you are feeling drowsy while behind the wheel, your reaction times might be delayed. To prevent an accident, only drive when you are feeling alert. Make sure that you, or whoever else is driving the vehicle is well rested before starting the vehicle. If you are feeling tired, consider parking your car and going for a nap.
- Speed. Drivers should never drive over the speed limit. If you exceed the speed limit and get into a car accident, it’s likely that you will cause a serious accident. According to recent statistics, approximately ten thousand people die on American roads each year because of speed. Although most people are aware of the dangers involved in driving fast, many drivers continue to break the limit.
- Distractions. More and more accidents are occurring due to drivers getting distracted. According to the National Safety Council in the United Kingdom, you are much more likely to get into an accident which can lead to a serious injury if you get distracted while driving. To prevent this from happening, under no circumstances should you use your smartphone or any other electronic device while driving. If you need to check your phone, park your car in a safe area.
Safety tips
Before you begin your journey, you should know where you are going and how to get there. Map out your route, and if you have a GPS installed into your car, set your location before turning on your engine. If you need to make changes to your GPS system, make sure you are parked safely and not driving.
If the weather conditions are bad, consider waiting until it is safe to drive. If you have to drive during terrible weather conditions, make sure that you take your time.
Under no circumstances should you drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even some prescription drugs can cause severe side effects that might impact your driving. Consider asking your doctor for advice on whether or not you are able to drive after taking the medication they have prescribed you.
Seat belts are there for a reason, to protect passengers inside a car. Before putting your foot on the accelerator, make sure that everyone has their seat belt on. If there are babies or toddlers in the car, check to see if their baby car seat has been installed properly.
If you want to use your phone while driving, connect it to the car stereo. Most new cars come with a bluetooth feature, so you can connect your car to the vehicle’s sound system. Even if you get an important call, avoid answering your phone while driving.
Always remember to obey all the road traffic signs and signals. Make sure that you stick to the speed limits, and do whatever it takes not to get distracted while behind the wheel, even if your kids are begging for attention in the back seats.
Adam Mulligan did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
