Airbags were added to cars to keep drivers and passengers safer during accidents, and although they can be lifesaving, they also have a history of causing injuries. That is one of the many reasons why you should always see a chiropractor after a car accident in San Jose, even if you feel fine in the immediate aftermath. In addition to the collision itself, the impact of the airbags could leave you with lingering injuries that are not immediately evident to you but that can be diagnosed right away by your chiropractor. Here is a closer look at some of the injuries that can occur in a car accident as the result of an airbag deployment.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries are extremely common after airbags deploy, because the bag often comes into direct contact with the face forcefully. The impact can cause bruising and broken bones in the face, as well as abrasions. Some people also suffer burn injuries when the chemicals from the airbag irritate the skin. In rare cases, permanent scarring and blindness can occur when an airbag strikes the face.
Neck and Back Injuries
Airbags deploy with great force, and that force can do damage to your neck and back. The bag can hit your face with such strength that your neck snaps forward and backward, which can lead to whiplash and injuries along the cervical spine. The airbag can also hit the chest and forcefully push the thoracic and lumbar portions of the spine out of alignment. When left untreated, these injuries can cause chronic and severe back pain that can interfere with your everyday activities.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are among the most dangerous accident injuries that occur because of airbags. These types of injuries involve damage to internal organs that can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. The chemicals from the airbags can also cause lung irritation that can be especially dangerous for people with asthma.
