What are the Most Common Motor Vehicle Injuries?
MVA's
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common motor vehicle injuries that can occur even at low speeds. The majority of car accidents are rear-impact collisions that occur at speeds of 14 mph or less with whiplash causing damage to the neck at speeds as low as 2.5 mph.
The significant stress of the jerking, stopping motion at the end of an accident can cause injury to the bones and soft tissues in the neck. Tendons are also strained as the neck hyperextends beyond its normal range of motion.
Whiplash can show up as stiffness or soreness in the neck that can gradually worsen if left untreated. Many people in car accidents don’t realize they are injured until they wake up with a stiff neck the next morning or even in the days following the accident. An estimated 15% to 40% of patients who have untreated acute neck pain will eventually develop chronic neck pain.
MVA's
Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when damage or trauma impacts the sciatic nerve which is the largest and longest nerve in your body. It is formed by several branches from the lumbar spine and courses down the buttocks, past the hips and back of the leg to the feet.
In a car accident injury, sciatica can be caused when the sciatic nerve is compressed or otherwise injured. This can cause pain, tingling and/or numbness in the buttocks all the way down the leg into the feet. Sciatica can be debilitating if left untreated.
In severe cases, sciatica can also cause urinary incontinence and loss of bowel control. Any sign of this loss of control, groin numbness, or any weakness or loss of movement in the lower limbs, is a sign of a true medical emergency. Get immediate medical attention.
MVA's
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can involve the soft tissues and muscles of the back. These muscles can experience bruising and trauma during a car accident. The vertebrae of the lumbar spine can move or sustain fractures resulting in lower back pain.
Chronic lower back pain is the most common type of back pain. It can result in years of lost wages and lost time with friends and family. For patients who already experience intermittent back pain, a car accident may also worsen their condition.
