About this topic
A motor vehicle accident can cause minor or very serious injuries. You may have minor injuries, like cuts or bruises. Other times, you may have more severe injuries like brain damage, broken bones, bleeding, or harm to organs inside your body. You may need surgery right away for head injuries or broken bones. An accident can lead to shock from blood loss. The blood loss may cause confusion, disoriented feelings, and body system shut down, or even death. ‚
If you have severe injuries, you will most often need emergency care at the scene of the accident. Staff will work to make sure you are breathing and have a pulse. They will control bleeding and protect you from any more harm. You may need I.V. medicines and other treatments. Then, you may be taken to the hospital emergency room. ‚
Doctors will treat you right away when you get to the hospital. You may need more I.V. fluids, drugs, or a blood transfusion. You may need emergency surgery. After treating your severe injuries, the doctors will treat your other injuries. You may go to the intensive care room or have to stay in the hospital based on your condition. This will allow the staff to watch you closely in case your condition changes. ‚
How long it takes for you to heal from a motor vehicle accident will vary based on how: ‚
- Serious the injuries
- Quickly care is given
- You respond to care
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. You may have a problem sleeping or changes in sleep patterns. Take time to rest even if you cannot sleep. Take naps during the day.
- It may take weeks to a few months for the wound or injury to heal. Talk to the doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- You may still have pain, even after fully healing. Ask the doctor how to control the pain.
- You may have emotional problems, mood changes, dreams, or flashbacks from the accident. The doctor may suggest counseling or other therapies.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your injury. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting, pulling, or pushing things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor may order some tests to make sure that your injury is fully healed. ‚
You may also need to see: ‚
- A physical therapist or PT to teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
- An occupational therapist or OT to help you with new ways to take care of yourself and how to do your daily activities.
- A mental health therapist to help you adjust to the changes in your life while dealing with your injury. This person will also help you with mood changes.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Ease muscle spasms
- Control nerve activity
- Prevent infection
- Prevent blood clots
Will physical activity be limited?
- Your lifestyle may be different after a motor vehicle accident. You may have to limit or change activities. This is based on how severe the injury was.
- Pain may cause you to limit your usual activities.
What changes to diet are needed?
Be sure to ask your doctor if you need to eat a special diet, especially if you had surgery on your belly. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term pain
- Mood changes
- Low blood pressure
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Disability
- Mental and emotional problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There are no specific ways to prevent motor vehicle accidents. Ways you can help to stay safe are: ‚
- Always wear a seat belt. Drive safely. Obey speed limits. Do not drink and drive.
- Avoid distractions while driving. Do not text or talk on the phone while driving.
- Take breaks and rest periods so you do not get drowsy when driving.
- Take extra care when in high-risk conditions:
- Rain, snow, or bad weather
- Traffic
- Late at night
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound; wound opens up.
- Loose or hard stools
- Soreness or redness above or below your knee
- More swelling in your lower leg, foot, or ankle on one side or both
- Headache or stiff neck that does not get better in 2 to 3 days
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you about how to care for my injury.
- I can tell you what I will do if I feel short of breath, have a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, or have a headache or stiff neck that does not go away in 2 to 3 days.
Where can I learn more?
National Center for PTSD ‚
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/coping-traumatic-stress.asp ‚
National Institute of General Medical Sciences ‚
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Factsheet_Trauma.htm ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-04-06 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚