Each year in the United States, there are over seven million automobile and traffic-related accidents. Of those seven million, 2.3 million people will suffer some form of injury. Injuries can range from whiplash to a catastrophic injury to the spinal cord. Injuries due to automobile accidents can result in long-term damage and require months and sometimes years of recovery.
Of course, you can’t always control your involvement in automobile accidents. You could be a passenger, pedestrian or driver hit by another vehicle. There are, however, certain steps you can take to avoid automobile accidents and the debilitating injuries they cause.
Types of Injuries
Automobile accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles or public transit can result in a wide variety of injuries ranging in impairment and severity. The type of injury will determine the care and rehabilitation required to achieve the maximum level of rehabilitation.
The least severe types of injuries sustained during automobile accidents include:
- Strains and sprains.
- Whiplash.
- Soft-tissue injuries (affecting muscles, ligaments and tendons).
- Broken bones.
The most severe types of car accident-related injuries include:
- Burns.
- Herniated discs.
- Internal bleeding.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Paralysis (long-term or short-term).
Though these injuries range in severity, you never want to experience any of them. Even the less debilitating injuries listed above have the potential to derail your life and require physical therapy or chiropractic care.
Safe Driving Tips
Texas has the highest rate of automobile accidents in the nation. Luckily, there are many things you can do to avoid becoming a statistic and suffering injury. As the driver of an automobile, be sure to practice the following tips:
- Drive defensively.
- Wear a seat belt.
- Scan the road at least 12 seconds ahead.
- Keep hands on the wheel at 10 and two.
- Refrain from tailgating.
- Slowdown in rain, ice or snow.
- Always check your blind spots.
- Reduce nighttime driving.
- Never text and drive.
In addition to these safe driving tips, you can also take advantage of various technologies available to drivers. Most new vehicles feature enhancements like backup cameras, forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking and voice controls to help you put down your phone. Many of these features are considered standard on new vehicles and are well-worth the investment to keep you and your loved ones safe.
If You Are Injured
Of course, you can’t always control whether or not an automobile accident occurs. You could be a passenger, a pedestrian or become the victim of another distracted driver. If the unthinkable happens and you are injured in the DFW Metroplex, know that you can trust the professionals at Elite Healthcare. We specialize in evaluating, treating and providing rehabilitation to the victims of automobile accidents. Our experts will care for you through the first weeks after an accident to the point of maximum rehabilitation.
