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Motor Vehicle Accident Q&A


What injuries might motor vehicle accidents cause?

In major collisions, motor vehicle accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), organ damage, and internal bleeding. But these are less common than musculoskeletal injuries, which include:

  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations (separated joints)
  • Muscle tears
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Ligament sprains
  • Tendon strains
  • Whiplash neck injuries

Whiplash happens when your head moves violently forward and back, overstretching or tearing tissues in the cervical spine (neck). They’re commonly caused by rear-impact motor vehicle accidents.

If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, you might not initially realize that you’re injured. When you’re hurt or scared, the body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, chemicals that reduce pain and help you survive. Only days, or sometimes weeks, later might you develop pain and other symptoms.

Visiting the auto accident injury experts at Union Anesthesia Associates enables you to receive a prompt diagnosis and treatment. It prevents injuries from getting worse or causing permanent damage. It could also be vital for insurance claims and legal action after an accident.

How are motor vehicle accident injuries diagnosed?

The Union Anesthesia Associates team begins your consultation by reviewing your medical records and requesting detailed information about the accident. They might need to know what speed the collision occurred at, the vehicles involved, and the nature of the accident, for example, if it was a rear-end or head-on collision and if the car rolled or hit a solid object.

Next, your doctor completes a physical exam. They check for abnormalities and injury signs like pain, swelling, redness, and bruising. They also assess your joint function and muscle strength.

If your doctor finds an injury, they order diagnostic imaging like X-ray, ultrasound, or an MRI. They might also perform a nerve block, injecting a local anesthetic into the area to identify the pain’s source.

These procedures determine how severe the damage is and exactly where it’s at.

How are motor vehicle accident injuries treated?

Union Anesthesia Associates offers conservative treatments first unless you need surgery to repair a fracture or severe soft-tissue damage. Your treatment program could include physical therapy, medication, and steroid injections.

If your condition doesn’t improve, Union Anesthesia Associates offers advanced treatments like laser surgery (using light energy), endoscopic (minimally invasive) spine surgery, pulsed radiofrequency neurotomy (PRFN), and spinal cord stimulation.

Call Union Anesthesia Associates today or book an appointment online to receive first-class motor vehicle accident care.