Understanding Motor Vehicle Accident Myths

Common motor vehicle accident myths include

  • The severity of injuries is proportional to the damage done to the vehicle
  • Few people have residual spinal difficulties following an MVA
  • Injury claims mostly revolve around secondary gain
  • Drunks don’t get injured as badly
  • Injuries heal in 6 to 12 weeks
  • If you don’t feel pain right away, you haven’t been seriously injured
  • Bracing for impact increases the damage to the neck
  • Men and women are equally susceptible to neck injury

The fact is that

  • Studies involving live humans have demonstrated that a motor vehicle accident of as little as 5 mph can induce cervical (neck) injury. However, other studies have shown that cars can often withstand crashes of 10 mph or more without sustaining damage. Most injuries occur at speeds less than 25km/hr.
  • Most vehicles can withstand forces at this speed without sustaining damage.
  • There is no correlation between vehicle damage and the extent of one’s injuries.
  • The peak acceleration of the head during impact is much higher than the peak acceleration of the vehicle due to momentum.
  • Research and clinic experience now demonstrate that a delay of symptom onset seems to be the norm. Also, delay of symptom onset does not eliminate the possibility of severe injury.
  • Bracing before impact may lessen the injuries sustained, causing less ligamentous damage.
  • The injury threshold for women is lower and recovery on average takes longer statistically.
At the Accident Injury Clinic we hope to dispel these myths and educate you on the processes of healing and how we can influence that healing to obtain optimum recovery. Although all occupants involved in car accidents undergo the same stages of healing, the physiotherapist can have a dramatic influence on the healing outcome if early education and active management are initiated.

We have advanced education and expert knowledge on how to treat many motor vehicle injuries.

WHIPLASH ASSOCIATED DISORDERS

In order to influence the recovery process it is necessary to understand the mechanics of a car accident.

 

The First 48 to 72 Hours.

You can expect the onset of pain and inflammation.

The First Six Weeks.

This is your window of opportunity to influence the strength of healing scar tissue and prevent soft tissue shortening.

Six Weeks to Three Months

Muscle imbalances can occur leading to increasing pain and disability if sufficient exercise does not take place.

After Three Months

Statistics show that 78% of motor vehicle accident victims will be back to their normal activities within three months, 85% are back within 6 months.