By Dr. Anthony DeLuca
Director, DeLuca Family Chiropractic in Old Bridge
The United States averages about six million car accidents every year. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 4.6 million people required medical treatment after crashes in 2016, a 7 percent increase over 2015. The Association for Safe International Road Travel estimates that about two million individuals are injured or disabled each year as a result of those crashes.
The reasons are many. Some accidents are unavoidable, the result of bad timing, poor weather, awful conditions, vehicle failure or dreadful luck. Insurers have reported that deer or large animals played a role in more than one million car crashes just a few years ago. Life is sometimes unfair, especially on the road.
But then again, there are the accidents where someone is definitely at fault. Don’t kid yourself, it’s not a mistake if you know it’s wrong before you do it.
Reckless drivers or those driving with a blatant disregard for the rules, speeding and drunk driving still lead the way as the causes of U.S. car accidents. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 10,076 people were killed in accidents involving drivers with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit in 2013. That means every 52 minutes, someone was killed in an alcohol-related car accident.
Distracted driving is another leading cause. NHTSA studies show that 3,477 people died in distraction-affected crashes in 2015, up 8.8 percent from the previous year. In 2014, another 431,000 people were injured in these crashes. A State Farm 2012 study found 48 percent of drivers age 18 to 29 accessed the Internet on a cellphone while driving.
Here’s the problem. Researchers have proven the hazardous use of cellphones during care use. Some studies have even equated hands-free operation to driving drunk. One university found that motorists who spoke on hands-free cellphones were 18 percent slower in braking. And here’s another especially alarming statistic: one out of four car accidents in the US are caused by texting while driving.
So, you can be the safest driver in the world and still be the victim of the other guy’s bad decisions. Car accidents typically cause two types of physical problems, penetrating injuries caused by flying debris and trauma produced through the force of impact against the body.
For instance, whiplash is the leading car accident injury. This and other soft tissue problems result from the sudden stretching of muscles, ligaments and tendons. Another problem is that the symptoms may not appear for days after the event. Additionally, such injuries are not usually confirmed by x-rays and can be difficult to document and even treat except by trained medical professionals. Symptoms commonly include neck pain, tightness and stiffness, loss of range of motion and headaches that range from the base of the skull to the forehead. Without the proper diagnosis and treatment, these ailments can then last for years affecting everything from the ability to sleep comfortably to the performance of everyday tasks.
So, drive safe and smart. But, if catastrophe or the other guy should strike, it is imperative to reach out for the proper certified care. The right treatment can oftentimes not only reduce pain and increase flexibility, but overcome weeks, months or even years of needless suffering.
For more information on methods for treating the injuries and pain associated with motor vehicle incidents please contact DeLuca Family Chiropractic at 732-679-2414 or visit our website at www.dfccares.com. The office’s professional staff located at 2309 Hwy 516 in Old Bridge is dedicated to tailoring chiropractic programs targeted toward wellness and personal injury.
