OrthoIndy trauma physicians see a lot of injuries related to motorized vehicle accidents including car, truck, motorcycle, four wheeler, ATV, dirt bikes and moped accidents. The severity of a motorized vehicle accident may depend on what type of vehicle you are in or driving.
If you are injured and in need of immediate care, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room. OrthoIndy Trauma physicians treat patients at St. Vincent Indianapolis Level I Trauma Center. In less severe accidents, OrthoIndy also has urgent care clinics conveniently located throughout Indianapolis and surrounding cities.
Learn more about the most common types of motorized vehicle accidents that may lead to treatment by a trauma specialist.
Common injuries from motorized vehicles
1. Broken bones
Broken bones are a common injury caused by high impact car crashes. Depending on the severity of the break, it may require surgery. An open fracture, a bone that has broken skin, may require a longer healing process. For example, dirt bike injuries tend to lead to broken collarbones due to your arm being stretched at awkward angles while riding the bike.
2. Spinal injuries
Spinal injuries are very serious because it can lead to a loss of movement or sensation in the lower extremities of the body. For instance, ATV accidents often lead to spinal injuries due to riding on challenging paths that cause them to flip or roll over.
3. Soft tissue injuries
Motorized vehicles cause a high percentage of ligament, tendon or muscle tears. Moped injuries often lead to severed muscles or soft tissue lacerations because not much protection is provided if a person falls off.
4. Burn injuries
Depending on the accident, burns may occur. If the burn is severe, it may require skin grafts that can lead to scarring. Motorcycle accidents typically lead to burns or road rash because of the lack of protection and the tendency of the motorcycle to slide if it tips over.
5. Neck and back injuries
Whiplash causes a majority of neck and back injuries in a car crash. It may cause herniated discs or spinal cord injuries. Strains and sprains of the neck and back can occur as well. These types of car accident injuries can be very serious often require surgery.
6. Head and brain injuries
Although OrthoIndy doesn’t treat head injuries or concussions, they are a common injury that can be fatal. It can lead to internal bleeding or skull fractures. Most motorized vehicle accidents have a high risk of head and brain injuries occurring, especially if helmets or seatbelts are not being worn.
Injury prevention
There are many ways to help reduce the chances of an injury occurring or reducing the severity of the injury such as:
- Always wear a seatbelt
- Wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle, dirtbike, four-wheeler or moped
- Follow traffic guidelines
- Go the proper speed limit
- Always be on the lookout for other drivers or unusual objects or uneven terrain
- Limit distractions such as not using your phone while operating any type of vehicle
- Be aware of blind spots
- Make sure your vehicle meets all the requirements and is safe to operate
Learn more about OrthoIndy trauma care.
Schedule an appointment
Your well-being is important to us. Click the button below or call us to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists. If your injury or condition is recent, you can walk right into one of our OrthoIndy Urgent Care locations for immediate care. For rehabilitation and physical therapy, no referral is needed to see one of our physical therapists.
