Your vehicle comes equipped with lifesaving tools like seatbelts and airbags, and while these things are extremely important, there is still damage they can cause during a crash. Airbags are designed to cushion your body against the impact of a collision, but because they have to deploy so quickly, they can cause injuries to various parts of the body. Just because your airbag deployed and you were spared contact with the dashboard or windshield does not mean you shouldn’t visit a whiplash chiropractor to address any potential issues. If you’ve recently been in an accident where airbags were used, keep an eye out for some of the following injuries and seek treatment as soon as possible.
1. Abrasions, Contusions, or Burns
The most common injuries seen after an airbag deploys are external injuries that are typically minor. Airbags are made of a thin fabric and when it moves quickly against the skin, the friction can cause burns similar to rug burn. In addition to burns from contact with fabric, chemicals are also released when airbags begin to deflate, and some people may be sensitive to these and suffer chemical burns. This is a result of the chemical reaction that occurs in order to inflate an airbag in a fraction of a second. As the gas and heat slowly release, they can irritate skin or even eyes.
Contusions, or bruises, are also common as a result of the airbag hitting your body at a high speed. The pressure can injure capillaries or blood vessels, causing them to leak into the surrounding tissue. Most bruises heal on their own, but when combined with other symptoms, they can indicate that internal damage may have occurred. Cuts and scrapes are also possible due to the high pressure of an airbag.
2. Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common car accident injury. Most people seeking treatment for injuries look first for a whiplash chiropractor to address this condition. Airbags typically reduce the risk of whiplash or leave passengers with less severe cases than they would suffer otherwise, but it is still possible. If you jerk forward and backward before the airbag has fully deployed or you are too far from the airbag, you may still experience tears or strains in the soft tissue in the neck.
Whiplash is typically healed through simple treatments like chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy, rest, heat and ice, and massage.
3. Concussion
A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury that can occur any time that your head is met with a strong force. While you may not hit the dashboard, windows, or steering wheel when an airbag deploys, the airbag itself can be enough to cause a concussion when it collides with the head. Concussions can be tricky because the symptoms do not show up immediately and you may struggle to identify them in yourself, so if your head has been hit, you should always visit a whiplash chiropractor as quickly as possible. Signs of a concussion can include a severe and lasting headache, dizziness and balance issues, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, a ringing in the ears, or trouble with memory and concentration.
4. Internal Bleeding and Injuries
Any significant force to your abdomen puts your organs and internal mechanisms at risk for injury, even if there is no external evidence of any harm. Bones like the rib and pelvis are also at risk in addition to the bowels and other organs. Even a small wound can lead to internal bleeding, which quickly becomes dangerous or even fatal without treatment.
The same chemicals that can cause irritation to the skin and eyes can also irritate the lungs or other organs.
5. Facial Injuries
All of the body’s bones are vulnerable to fractures in an accident, including those that may come in contact with an airbag. The face contains some of the more fragile bone structures throughout the body, making them easy to fracture, and is also typically near an airbag when it deploys. The eyes are also at risk for injury at close range of a deploying airbag, causing temporary or even permanent blindness.
Treating Airbag Injuries
Airbag injuries require attention just like any other injury sustained in a car accident. You are likely less injured thanks to your airbag, but should still always be evaluated by a whiplash chiropractor following a collision. At AICA Tucker, our chiropractors are trained to identify injuries that resulted from car accidents and develop personalized treatment plans based on those injuries. Call AICA Tucker today for your first appointment!