Although a person involved in an accident may feel well, experts suggest seeing a doctor for a checkup in case there are underlying injuries that have not yet developed noticeable symptoms. There are a range of instruments used by medical professionals to evaluate the body and treat injuries in car accident victims. One of the most common devices used to diagnose various conditions is the ultrasound.
The Denver car accident attorneys at Jeremy Rosenthal’s law office are dedicated to advocating for those who have sustained injuries in car accidents. Even if you just need advice regarding the proper steps to take following an incident, we are here to provide you with the information you need. We understand that accidents substantially affect your life in almost every way. We’re here to make sure you recover the damages that are you are rightfully entitled to. Call us today at (303) 825-2223 today or contact us online for a free consultation.
What is an ultrasound?
A general ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a non-invasive and painless procedure used for various medical purposes. Even though most people associate ultrasound imaging with monitoring a baby during a pregnancy, it can also be used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. When conducted, a technician places a small probe called a transducer on a patient’s skin along with ultrasound gel. High-frequency sound waves are sent through the part of the body being examined, creating echoes that are collected by the transducer. These waves produce an image that is displayed on a monitor.
Diagnosis
Doctors commonly use a general ultrasound to assist them in evaluating symptoms like pain, infections, and swelling. It also serves as a common and useful method of examining a patient’s internal organs. Ultrasounds have been known to be especially beneficial for injuries related to car accidents, in particular, for diagnosing hematoma and whiplash.
Hematoma: A hematoma, also known as a subdural hematoma, is blood that has accumulated on the outside of a blood vessel. It occurs when a blood vessel wall, vein, capillary, or an artery has been damaged by trauma, and blood has leaked into tissues within the body where it does not belong. When blood leaks into the circulatory system and ceases to move, it will inevitably clot. The more blood that escapes, the larger the hematoma becomes. They often occur as a result of a car accident, and they are commonly inflicted on the brain. This is because any jolts or bumps due to car accidents can cause a victim’s brain to rapidly move back and forth inside of their head. When the brain strikes the inside of the skull, it can cause damage along the interior of the skull. The skull does not have to be fractured in order for a hematoma to occur, which can make patients feel like they are completely fine at first. However, when pressure on the brain increases, patients will exhibit symptoms of an ongoing headache, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. According to the Nation Institute of Health, a subdural hematoma inflicted to the head is one of the deadliest of all head injuries.
Whiplash: Whiplash, medically referred to as cervical acceleration-deceleration syndrome, is defined as damage to the neck. In any case when the neck is sprained or strained, it is normally categorized as whiplash. It commonly occurs when a person has been rear-ended by another vehicle. The force from the collision causes a person’s head and neck to jerk backward and forwards, causing the cervical spine to undergo extreme stress. Pain from whiplash can range in severity from a tingling, pins, and needles feeling to unbearable. It can be a serious issue when muscles and ligaments are torn and damaged. Common symptoms of whiplash are stiffness in the neck, headaches, and dizziness.
Types of Ultrasounds
Aside from the conventional ultrasound mentioned above, there are several variations of ultrasounds that a doctor might use on a patient who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident. The following are alternative ultrasound machines that technicians use on patients in medical settings:
Doppler ultrasound – this type of ultrasound is frequently used to assess blood flow through blood vessels in veins and major arteries such as the legs, arms, and the neck. This type of ultrasound has been known to reduce inflammation and swelling. Studies have recently concluded that this procedure effectively promotes bone fracture healing. In cases when damaged skin tissue must be healed as a result of a car accident, the power density is increased. There are three types of doppler ultrasounds: the color Doppler, the power Doppler, and the spectral Doppler.
Carotid ultrasound – A carotid ultrasound is frequently performed to assess and diagnose injuries inflicted to the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain. It is especially useful in diagnosing a hematoma and other serious brain and head injuries inflicted due to being involved in a car accident.
Echocardiogram – this ultrasound produces and picks up echoes of the sound waves as they bounce off the chambers of the heart. These echoes are displayed as moving pictures on a real-time monitor that a doctor will use to diagnose cardiovascular injuries from car accidents. There are several types of echocardiograms, such as transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) and transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs).
Compensation for Treatment Costs
If you have been in a car accident that resulted in sustaining an injury, you may be entitled to recovering damages for the costs accrued in the aftermath. Medical expenses, lost wages from missing work, and money spent on hospital stays may be costly. Taking legal recourse is an important part of the process of recovering these funds and moving on with your life after an accident.
Unfortunately, with Colorado’s wet and snowy roads, motor vehicle accidents are prone to occur. The following list contains a few of the common injuries associated with car accidents:
- Muscle injuries
- Joint injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Brain and head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Psychological injuries