Why is immediate care so important after a pedestrian crash?

On Behalf of | Sep 13, 2018 | Catastrophic Injuries |

There are a number of serious injuries that can happen when a pedestrian is hit by a car. Some of the most catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)and spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Each of these has the potential to be a life-changing injury.

With brain and spinal cord injuries, it is vital that a pedestrian gets immediate medical care. If the pedestrian is able to get help quickly, then they will have a better chance of recovery no matter how bad the injuries are initially

Why is quick treatment so important?

With brain and spinal cord injuries, the problem is that there is a potential for more damage to occur after the initial injury. Secondary injuries are a result of swelling and inflammation in the body. As inflammation increases, the brain has nowhere to expand. Similarly, the spinal cord is within a very small, narrow passageway. Any swelling could further damage the nerves.

With a quick treatment following a pedestrian accident, both spinal cord injuries and brain injuries have a lower chance of worsening significantly. Medical providers may give a patient anti-inflammatory medications or take them to emergency surgery to prevent further damage from occurring. That can’t happen unless the patient is rushed to the hospital.

That is why it is so important for those who witnessed an accident or who caused an accident to stay at the scene. Someone has to call for help immediately and help the pedestrian until emergency care arrives. Quickly reporting the incident could be a matter of life or death for the pedestrian involved.