Even though there are millions of auto accidents happening each year, most of them are considered minor. However, the accident is mainly judged minor because there is minimal damage to the vehicles involved. The statistics do not reflect the extent of injuries suffered by the driver or passengers of the vehicle.
You might think that since there is only a small dent in the vehicle, the people inside the car would have not experienced any injuries that would have any long term implications and probably not even any short term implications.
All Accidents can Lead to this Type of Injury
Unfortunately, this is not the case always. In most minor accidents, the people inside suffer from whiplash injury, which is a soft tissue injury caused by the violent backwards and forwards movement of the head at the time of impact. Even when the vehicle is travelling at less than 10 mph the people inside can suffer from severe whiplash injuries, and hence it becomes important to consult Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC.
This injury is not visible. You are not going to be bleeding which would lead to this type of injury. That is why so many people are ignorant when it comes to this type of injury and its ramifications for your quality of life.
Fender Bender Accidents
Unfortunately, even safety devices in the car like seat belts or special design of the seat cannot prevent whiplash injuries. Fender benders are the most common type of accidents, where you rear end the vehicle in front or somebody crashes into your vehicle from behind. The impact will throw your head forwards and backwards, which will flex your neck severely. This is typical whiplash trauma, and the ligaments in your neck are severely strained or even torn.
Whiplash trauma can also cause spinal misalignment and nerve damage. Even though, whiplash is a serious injury, most victims may not experience any symptoms for a long time. Since people do not feel much pain, they might simply take some pain medication to get relief.
However, the main injury could remain hidden and the person might experience severe symptoms and other health issues later. Therefore, it is important to get yourself checked by Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC after the accident.
The Training and the Resources
Compared to a general doctor, a chiropractor is a specialist in soft tissue injuries, and is better qualified and equipped to detect and treat whiplash injuries. After an accident, you are usually taken to the ER in a hospital and a general doctor will attend to your injuries.
However, this doctor may not be able to diagnose the extent of your soft tissue injuries, or provide the correct treatment. Therefore, after an auto accident, even if it is minor and your vehicle has sustained minimal damage, you should still consult Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC.