5 Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident

You’ll probably endure at least one, if not several, car accidents in your lifetime. While many accidents cause little more than bumps and bruises, others cause potentially serious injuries — some of which aren’t apparent early on.

Making sure you take the right steps after a collision can alleviate your bothersome symptoms and protect you from complications.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill specialize in treating spine injuries from car accidents.

If you’ve recently endured an accident yourself, avoid the following common spine health-related mistakes.

1. Assuming you’re not injured

Walking away from a car accident seemingly unscathed doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t injured. In many cases, the adrenaline rush of a collision delays symptoms, such as pain, for hours or even days. The gradual nature of inflammation can also set noticeable symptoms back.

Whiplash, in particular, may not show obvious signs straight away. If your spine has taken a jolt, it’s best to steer on the sign of safety and get checked out.

2. Ignoring pain

If you experience pain after a car accident, you could be dealing with a broad range of injuries. Depending on the nature, type, and severity of your injury, ignoring pain could mean delaying treatment that brings relief and prevents complications.

Numerous studies have linked chronic low back pain with motor vehicle collisions. Chronic pain is a lot more likely without appropriate treatment.

3. Not getting quality care

When you’re seeking treatment for a car accident injury, going to “just anyone” could lead to more challenges than solutions. Our spine experts have many years of experience and proper training to alleviate issues related to your back and spinal cord.

Treatments we may recommend include:

Back or neck brace
Epidural injections
Facet joint injections
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Radiofrequency ablation (heating and destroying the nerve causing the pain)

For severe injuries and injuries that fail to respond to less invasive treatments, we may recommend spine surgery.

4. Getting back to usual activity too soon

Vigorous activities, such as cardio workouts and weight lifting, strain your body. While some of the strain is positive, allowing you to build and strengthen muscle, overdoing post-injury activity can cause added problems, delay healing, and increase your pain and inflammation.

Once you’re approved for athletic activities, you may need to wait 48 hours between workouts to allow your body to recover for a time.

5. Not following your treatment plan

Not following your treatment plan is like having a seatbelt, but not using it. Compliance can be one of the biggest factors in your recovery success.

Our team provides comprehensive, customized spine injury treatments to help you make the most of your recovery while minimizing uncomfortable symptoms. If you find any aspect of your plan challenging or notice new or worsening issues, contact your provider for support.

To learn more about mistakes to avoid after a car accident, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.