The Association for Safe International Road Travel reports that 2.35 million individuals are significantly injured due to car accidents every year. Joint injuries are one of the most frequent types of injuries suffered by automobile accident victims. A joint as an area where two or more bones join. Joint injuries can entail several different types of damage to this area of the human body.
How Joint Injuries Occur
Joints in the human body consist of either ligaments that connect bones or tendons which connect muscle to bone or cartilage. During car collisions, your body may instinctively bend at the joints to protect you from the impact of the accident, which can apply great amounts of pressure on your joints and lead to joint damage.
Types of Joint Injuries
Joint injuries can result in a variety of physical ailments like bone fractures, dislocations, soreness, sprains, and swelling. The types of joint injuries that can occur include:
- Elbow Joint. These types of injuries often result when an individual grips a steering wheel or other part of an automobile prior to impact. Elbow joint injuries can greatly impact a car accident victim’s daily life because the victim may not be able to fully bend or extend the arm.
- Hip Joint. Any type of body contortion during a vehicle collision may lead to hip joint injuries. These injuries frequently result lack of mobility.
- Knee Joint. Striking the dashboard during a car accident might result in knee joint injuries. Substantial knee injuries can greatly impair an individual’s ability to walk.
- Shoulder Joint. Car collisions where an individual’s shoulder is struck within the interior of the vehicle often result in shoulder joint injuries. These serious and painful injuries can greatly impact a car accident victim’s ability to use both arms and therefore can limit the individual’s ability to perform many essential life tasks.
- Spine. The spine can be injured in several ways during a car accident. Facet injuries are commonly suffered by car accident victims. Facets are the small supporting joints in the spine. Another type of injury that car accident victims can experience are damages to the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is a connecting joint at the bottom of the spine. Facet, sacroiliac, and other types of spine injuries can greatly impact an individual’s ability to move.
Treatment
There are numerous types of treatment available for car accident victims who experience joint injuries. Some of the most common types of treatment include:
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic Manipulation
- Injections
- Medication
- Physical Therapy
- Support Devices
- Surgery
Advice for Individuals Who Experience Joint Injury
One can decrease the negative aspects of a joint injury in several ways:
- See A Doctor As Soon As Possible. The quicker a medical provider is able to assess an individual’s joint injury, the less risk the individual has of further harming the joint due to additional wear and tear on the body.
- Collect Evidence. Collect any evidence relevant to injury. These information can help a lawyer strengthen your case against an opposing party or insurance adjuster.
- Talk to an Attorney. A skilled car accident attorney may know how to best handle your case and obtain the compensation that you deserve.
If you have fallen victim of a car accident and have suffered joint injuries, it may be in your best interest that you get an experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles to guide and represent you. Our attorneys are here to help. Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.