According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost six million car accidents occur in the U.S. every year, of which more than 2.5 million are rear-ended collisions. Many of those accidents result in serious injuries.
Having to deal with the aftermath of a car accident isn’t easy. Besides the stress of being involved in a car accident, dealing with your insurance company, or focusing on repairs, sustaining injuries can add additional layers of trauma and hardship.
The most common car accident injuries are:
- bruises and cuts;
- whiplash (when the neck extends in any direction beyond the normal range of motion);
- broken bones;
- head injuries;
- chest injuries;
- spine injuries;
- arm and leg injuries.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an auto accident and suffered such injuries, the most important thing, besides taking legal action, is to heal as much as possible and return to your everyday life. But how can you do that? That’s where physical therapy steps in. Below, we give you the facts you need to begin moving forward.
What Is Physical Therapy and Why Might You Need it?
Physical therapy can help more than you ever thought. It provides tools and activities that will help an injured body heal itself by following specially designed exercises and movements. By doing so, muscle and tissue will be better able to repair and heal. The most common physical therapy practices are massages, acupuncture, and exercises focused on a specific area.
Some injury symptoms occur later than you would expect after a car accident. That is why it’s crucial to receive a medical evaluation as soon as possible. If a patient delays the treatment, chronic pain, reduced mobility, or post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to occur.
What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?
There are four main reasons physical therapy can help your injuries heal.
#1. Begin the Road to Recovery
You might overlook the severity of the car accident-related injury only when going back to your daily activities. Chronic headaches, pain, stiffness, or reduced range of motion could occur weeks following the car accident.
Starting physical therapy early will help you focus on these issues and improve your flexibility and strength.
#2. Prevent Long-Term Damage
Not only does physical therapy help begin the road to recovery, but it also prevents or limits long-term damage.
Untreated physical trauma can lead to severe complications, so starting physical therapy immediately after a car accident only improves your chances of returning to a pain-free life. Focusing on the most painful areas and exercising movements can help many car accident survivors feel better in lesser time.
#3. Reduce Pain
Pain reduction is a primary concern of individuals who have been injured in a car accident. It is fair to think that pain killers will come in handy when dealing with pain issues, but not everyone wants to use them.
Some pain killers could make you tired, while others won’t allow you to operate a vehicle safely or perform your job up to standard. Additionally, if you have a history of drug dependence, your doctor may feel that these drugs are not safe for you.
Many accidents result in herniated discs, leading to severe nerve pain and muscle spasms. Seeking the help of a physical therapist can help you reduce discomfort and pain and avoid having to rely on conventional pain management options.
#4. Avoid Surgery
Physical therapy is one of the most reliable options for avoiding surgery after an accident. Addressing the symptoms, weak muscles, vulnerable tendons or ligaments, and avoiding compounding issues, physical therapy can help you reduce the need for surgery.
By comparison to surgery, physical therapy is less invasive, less risky, and less costly, offering numerous benefits to those whose injuries are minor enough to be successfully addressed without surgical intervention.
Even if you do require surgery, physical therapy may help you recover more quickly and reduce the chances of complications.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Car Accident Claims
Suppose you have been involved in an auto collision due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness and want to make a personal injury claim. In that case, comprehensive medical documentation is crucial to obtain a favorable outcome.
With that in mind, working with both a physical therapist and an experienced car accident attorney will significantly increase your chances of obtaining a fair settlement.
Here are some things that a physical therapist can do:
- identify and treat injuries;
- provide documentation of the injuries and progress;
- provide professional testimony if your case goes to trial.
Furthermore, getting treatment for your injuries shows insurance companies that you’ve taken advantage of all available treatment options. This makes them more likely to want to pay for your damages by reassuring them that your own inaction did not lead to a worsening of your condition and that the long-term damages have been minimized to the fullest extent possible.
Get Help Today
No two injuries are the same, but physical therapy can do wonders for many car accident survivors. Physical therapists design custom treatments for every patient and work to improve your chances of returning to your life before the accident.
Additionally, working with a physical therapist can help you strengthen your personal injury claim for injuries such as a herniated disc or whiplash. However, this can only happen if you are also working with a skilled personal injury lawyer.
After seeking the medical care you need, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Amircani Law, we provide reliable personal injury representation in Atlanta, and we take every case very seriously!
Contact us for a free consultation at (678) 506-2343 today, and let us examine your situation. It’s time to take action and begin living the life you deserve.