Motor Vehicle Accident & Crash Claims
Motor vehicle accidents, or car crashes, are one of the leading causes for nonnatural deaths. The “type” of accident can be significant to a claim, but determining the accident’s cause is crucial for moving forward. This will impact the extent and type of the victim’s injuries, which determine the value of their claim. If you file a claim, you may need to consider how certain accident types result in conclusions or assumptions regarding who may have been at fault.
What are the types of impacts in car accidents?
Head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, and side-impact collisions are the three types of accidents. When a driver turns in the wrong direction on a one-way street, an exit ramp, or when they cross the median on a highway, head-on crashes frequently result. These accidents are among the most destructive and potentially lethal, yet they are also among the least frequent. Because one of the drivers was going against traffic, the fault is frequently obvious. Rear-end collisions, despite being far more frequent and frequently occurring at lower speeds, can nonetheless inflict serious harm. Although it is frequently assumed that the motorist in the back is to blame when there is insufficient stopping distance, this is not always the case. When one car fails to yield to another at a junction, side-impact collisions may occur. People within the broadsided vehicle may sustain particularly severe injuries since the side of the vehicle offers less structural protection.
Car crash statistics in Canada
The National Collision Database (NCDB) of Transport Canada houses information on all motor vehicle collisions in Canada that are reportable, as provided annually by the provinces and territories.
The goal of Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments is to have the world’s safest roads by reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the road. In fact, these were the lowest counts for all three of these casualty groups since these data were originally gathered by Transport Canada in the early 1970s. The year 2020 witnessed a minor decline in fatalities and serious injuries, as well as a considerable fall in the number of injuries.
Common injuries and mental health issues from being in an MVA
Some auto-accident injuries are obvious right away, while others may take days or weeks to show symptoms. Major injuries will need expert care at the hospital, while some can be treated at home with a first aid kit. Knowing the types of motor vehicle accident injuries and what to do about them is crucial if you or a loved one have been in a collision.
Motor vehicle accidents can result in bodily, cognitive, and psychological harm, for which victims may make them eligible for compensation.
Whiplash
One of the most common injuries in a car collision is whiplash. An injury to the soft tissues of the neck caused by an abrupt acceleration and deceleration force is referred to as whiplash. The neck moves abruptly and uncontrollably forward and backward as a result of the stress. Some whiplash signs and symptoms include pain in the neck, arms, back, and shoulder, headaches, muscle spasms, neck stiffness; and loss of range of motion.
Head & brain injuries
Concussions, traumatic brain injury, skull fractures, lacerations, and internal bleeding are all examples of head and brain traumas. The injured individual needs to be sent immediately to the emergency room because these are some of the most serious injuries that can result from a car collision.
Brain injuries can lead to serious long-term consequences. They can result in migraines, sleep issues, and issues with brain function years after the injury. As a result, they need to be handled right away. Not every brain injury shows symptoms right away after an incident. In order to receive medical attention, go to the ER if you hit your head in a car accident. If you get headaches or migraines following the accident, this should also be the case.
Broken bones
After a car collision, many people get fractured ribs, legs, or arms. Immediately following the accident, broken ribs and bones should be treated in the emergency room. Inflammation mobility issues, and excruciating pain may result from broken bones.
Internal bleeding
One of the worst injuries in a car collision is internal bleeding. It is invisible and, if untreated, can be fatal. The brain or other important organs, like the area around the heart, lungs, and liver, may experience internal bleeding. Internal bleeding can result in swelling around the damaged organs, as well as lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting if left untreated. Sadly, it can be difficult to determine whether someone has sustained this damage following an accident.
Mental health
Many people don’t consider the effect that car accidents can have on a person’s mental health, even though we frequently acknowledge that psychological disorders can be pre-existing or brought on by stress. Most people associate car accidents with causing bodily harm and damage to the individual. Nevertheless, even a little accident can result in psychological disorders.
According to a 2021 study, survivors of auto accidents experienced high rates of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, with 32.3% of survivors reporting PTSD, 17.4% experiencing despair, and 5.8% experiencing anxiety.
Traditional treatments
Injuries brought on by vehicle accidents often require expensive and long term medical care.
Depending on the ailment, therapy may be a key component of your treatment strategy to hasten your strength-building and injury recovery. Therapy is frequently required for car accident victims as part of their medical care, and more than one sort of therapy may be suggested by their doctor. The three most common treatments are listed below.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can aid an injured person in becoming more flexible, enhancing their range of motion, and regaining the strength and functionality of the damaged body components. Physical therapists are frequently recommended by doctors to those who have been injured in a car accident with a back or neck injury, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, shattered bones, or nerve damage.
Psychological therapy
The dread of a car accident, the difficulties of managing one’s injuries, and the constraints they impose can all lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Individuals can obtain therapy from a psychotherapist and other mental health professional to help manage or lessen their symptoms and get insight that will help them recover.
Medications
Painkillers will often be used to help manage short term and ongoing pain. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without prescripion. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people when used long term.
Opioids and benzodiazepines are often prescribed to help those severely injured manage their pain, mood, and sleep. These drugs are highly addictive and can have a wide range of unwanted side effects and cause long term damage to organs. This is why more Canadians are turning to medical cannabis for relief.
How medical cannabis can help?
The endocannabinoid system in our bodies helps manage and positively influence the homeostasis in our bodies. CB1 and CB2 receptors, generally referred to as cannabinoid receptors, are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and are present in numerous organ systems. This explains why cannabis is effective in treating a wide range of ailments that seem unrelated to one another.
Exogenous cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are introduced into the ECS when cannabis is consumed, absorbed, or inhaled. As soon as cannabinoids reach the ECS, they begin to function in a “lock and key” manner on the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. In essence, cannabinoids function as keys to open the ECS receptor locks, causing the body to undergo a chemical reaction. For instance, in circumstances involving pain, cannabinoids operate on body and brain CB2 receptors to block or diminish pain signals as well as inflammation, lowering pain perceptions.
Opioids such as oxycodone contribute to thousands of preventable death every year. Unsurprisingly, compared to zero fatalities from cannabis, over 15,000 people in the US died from opiate prescriptions in 2015, or about 40 people every day.
Patients who used medical marijuana saw a 64% decrease in the use of opioids and other painkillers. Cannabis has been shown to relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea, multiple sclerosis-related muscular spasms, and chronic pain.
Your medical cannabis can be covered by insurance
Apollo has helped thousands of patients in motor vehicle accidents attain full insurance coverage for their medical cannabis treatment. Our services are free of charge and our team of specialists and physicians work with your lawyer(s) and insurance companies to ensure all paperwork and submissions are accurately completed. We also provide ongoing support, and personalized dosing plans, all resulting in marked improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
What symptoms of a car crash can medical cannabis help with?
Medical cannabis can simultaneously help manage the symptoms of a variety of injuries and mental health conditions. With the guidance of a healthcare professional and a personalized treatment plan, you will have all the resources to help you on your journey. Medical cannabis can help with: PTSD, back pain, chronic pain, whiplash, inflammation and more.
PTSD
CBD and THC may be able to benefit people with PTSD by enhancing the endocannabinoid system’s facilitation of critical processes, including memory consolidation and retrieval. THC and CBD may activate CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the central nervous system, which may then cause the system to create neurotransmitters that support memory, pleasure, and happiness.
Simply said, CBD and THC may be able to help PTSD patients achieve emotional well-being while also preventing the retrieval of painful memories and nightmares. Anandamide, a natural endocannabinoid molecule that fosters sensations of joy and contentment, has been linked in studies to reduced levels in PTSD patients. Due to the similar chemical and structural characteristics of CBD and anandamide, which both boost serotonin activity and reduce feelings of stress and depression, CBD may serve as a natural alternative to anandamide.
Inflammation
According to a New England Journal of Medicine report, cannabinoids’ capacity to promote apoptosis is what gives them their anti-inflammatory properties. Apoptosis is the name of the process the body uses to get rid of damaged cells. Cannabinoids’ anti-inflammatory properties can aid in the relief of arthritis-related swelling and discomfort symptoms.
Pain: Treating something as complex as pain isn’t always as easy as it might appear because pain is typically used as a catch-all term. In a 2017 study, the National Academies for Science, Engineering, and Medicine of the United States discovered that the use of medicinal cannabis oil for pain relief can be helpful in the management of chronic diseases.
The practical use of CBD is accomplished through a variety of channels. One of the most well-liked ones is CBD oil. The CBD ingredient is extracted straight from the plant and added to various oils. A product like that has many potential applications. Cannabis can be useful for managing pain, according to a Canadian study of adults with persistent, non-cancer pain. Out of 3,000 participants in another poll, 97% of respondents said they had cut back on their use of opioid medications. Some claim that medical marijuana has the same ability to relieve pain as prescription drugs.
Whiplash and back pain
By regulating the body’s endocannabinoid pain-processing system and having an anti-inflammatory effect on inflamed bodily tissues, cannabis medications can help manage the mechanical and nerve pain associated with back and neck pain. When used correctly, cannabis-based medications can also help you sleep better to promote faster healing, boost your mood, and manage anxiety. Cannabis-based medications frequently achieve this more gradually than traditional medications, and occasionally with a lower risk of dependence.
Anxiety
The chemical compound cannabidiol is specifically what gives cannabis its anxiety-reducing properties. One of the 85 naturally occurring substances in cannabis is CBD. In contrast to THC, CBD is not psychoactive, which means that it doesn’t cause any euphoria or a “high”. Research has indicated that THC, when used in small doses, can have other health advantages, such as lowering stress.
How Apollo can help?
Individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents are at risk of developing chronic pain or psychiatric conditions. These conditions can be debilitating, complex, and difficult to treat. With over 50 years of combined cannabinoid therapy treatment experience, our physicians and healthcare practitioners work to improve our patient’s overall quality of life through care and research-based prescribing.
- We work collaboratively with the patient’s lawyer to support their case and provide them with a detailed copy of related medical records and treatment.
- Apollo offers individualized patient education sessions with our care specialists. This session will familiarize patients with medical cannabis treatment and associated devices.
- Highly experienced general practitioners, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and anesthesiologists.
- Apollo will track clinical progress using industry-validated measurements to best inform ongoing treatment and make adjustments to the personalized treatment plan.
Book your free appointment by calling us at 1-877-560-9195, emailing us at MVA@apolloresearch.ca or filling out the forms online at Apollocannabis.ca/patients/insurance/.
Our booking team will contact you directly to set your appointment, and our team of physicians and motor vehicle accident specialists will help manage your ongoing care and get the coverage you deserve.
