With the winter season already here in Minnesota, it is extremely important for drivers to remember that driving on snow packed and icy roads is very different than driving on dry roadways. It is easy to forget how to drive safely during the winter months, and it takes time to get used to it all over again. This results in a higher number of auto accidents in the beginning of the snowy season. Common types of car accidents include rear-end collisions, sliding through intersections, and accidents caused by poor visibility. Unfortunately, auto accidents caused by winter weather can mean mild to severe injuries. On average, over 70,900 people are injured in winter weather-related crashes each year. Yesterday alone there were over 400 crashes reported to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Typical auto accident injuries produced by winter weather include:
Brain and Head injuries- These can be suffered by both the driver and passenger(s). An acquired brain injury is caused by the head being hit by or striking an object violently. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on how bad the damage done to the brain and the area affected is. Even if there is no visible sign of injury (i.e. bleeding or bruises), the brain might have bumped the inside the skull as a result of the force of impact which can cause bruising, bleeding, and swelling of the brain. Headaches are the most common reported injury after a car accident.
Neck Injuries- Neck injuries can range from mild (whiplash, neck strain), to more severe (cervical dislocation and disc injury). Neck injuries can start off as being just an ache but can quickly turn severe, resulting in chronic pain if left untreated.
Spinal Cord Injuries- Damage to the spinal cord develops when displaced bone fragments, disc material, or ligaments stretch and tear into spinal cord tissue. This can result in the destruction of axons. Axons transfer signals up and down the spinal cord between the brain and the rest of your body. Damage done to the spinal cord can cause loss of function or feeling and can be temporary or permanent.
Back Injuries- Back injuries can range from mild to severe with the lower back being the most common area affected. Typical back injuries include sprains, strains, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae. In addition to pain, patients suffering from back injuries may notice a restriction in their range of motion. Often, signs and symptoms of back pain-even in severe cases- take time to appear after an accident. It is extremely important to get checked out even if you don't have symptoms of back pain. When left undetected and untreated, these injuries can develop into long lasting pain and discomfort.
Facial Injuries- Facial injuries are common and may be caused by the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, windshield, side window, car seats, broken glass or other objects dislocated in the crash. Facial injuries include minor scrapes and bruises to more severe injuries which can affect the jaw, teeth and nasal cavities.
Psychological Injuries- Drivers and passengers associated with accidents involving serious injury or loss of life can lead to short or long-term physiological injuries such as emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Psychological injuries can be debilitating to a person's life and can have long-lasting effects.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a winter weather auto accident, chiropractic care can help. Chiropractic care has been proven to not only reduce risk of injury but also rehabilitate the body naturally and safely. Chiropractic care is a proven, hands-on, natural and effective approach for both acute and chronic symptoms after a car accident.
Not only does chiropractic care address symptoms and conditions, we treat the cause by assessing your needs structurally, nutritionally, and emotionally. Chiropractors know that our bodies need to be treated from every angle for best, long-lasting results.
You already have to suffer driving through the wintery Minnesota road conditions for several months, why suffer from the resulting car accident injuries all year round. Call today! We treat patients in the South Minneapolis and Metro area.