steps after a car accident

Yes. Not every fracture produces an obvious change in the shape of a limb. Pain, swelling, tenderness or difficulty using the affected area may occur, but these symptoms can also have other causes. A healthcare professional may recommend an examination and imaging such as an X-ray when a fracture is suspected. What should you do right after a road accident? The first steps after a road accident are simple: Make the area safe. Call emergency help if someone may be badly hurt. Do not move an injured person unless there is danger. Check for heavy bleeding and other serious problems. Give basic first aid only if you know how to do it safely. Get medical help quickly if there are warning signs or a serious crash. WHO says you should first make the crash area safe. Then call for help, give basic first aid, and take injured people to a health care center. Also, be careful when moving a person. A neck or back injury may be present. Step 1: Make the accident scene safe Before you help, check for danger. Cars, fire, fuel leaks, broken wires, damaged vehicles, and other dangers can hurt you or the injured person. So, if it is safe, warn other drivers and move to a safe place. WHO says the crash area should be made safe to stop more crashes and injuries. Do not put yourself in danger to reach a person trapped in a car. If there is fire, smoke, a risk of an explosion, or another serious danger, call emergency help. Then follow the operator’s instructions. Step 2: Call for emergency help Call for emergency help at once if someone:Is not awake ?Has heavy bleeding ?Has trouble breathing ?May have a serious head or back injury ?Has major injuries ?May be in danger of dying ?In India, 112 is the single emergency number for police, fire, and health help.When you call, tell the operator ?Where you are or the nearest clear landmark ?How many people are hurt ?If anyone is not awake ?If anyone has heavy bleeding or trouble breathing ?If anyone is trapped in a car ?Any clear danger at the crash site ?Stay on the call. Also, follow the operator’s advice. Step 3: Avoid extra movement After a serious road crash, a neck or back injury may be present. So, avoid moving the person unless there is an immediate danger.Do not pull a hurt person from a car just because they feel uncomfortable. Move them only if staying there could cause serious harm, such as fire.WHO says to keep movement of the neck and back as low as possible when taking someone out of a car.If a person is awake and has a clear arm or leg injury, keep that part still as much as you can.Do not try to straighten a bent or deformed arm or leg yourself. Step 4: Look for serious bleeding Heavy bleeding needs quick help. If it is safe and you know basic first aid, press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or suitable dressing. Keep getting emergency help. Do not stop emergency care just because the bleeding has slowed for a while. WHO says early care for heavy bleeding is an important part of basic care after a serious injury. Step 5: Check for signs of a serious head injury A person may look fine after a crash and still have a serious injury. After a blow to the head, warning signs can include: Passing out Becoming very sleepy or hard to wake Seizures New weakness or numbness Trouble walking or keeping balance Trouble speaking or understanding Problems with sight or hearing Vomiting more than once Clear fluid or blood from the nose or ears A very bad or worsening headache A large wound or clear change in the shape of the head The NHS says some of these signs need urgent medical care. It also lists a high-speed road crash as a reason to get urgent help after a head injury. So, if someone had a strong blow to the head, do not assume they are safe just because there is no clear wound. What injuries can happen after a road accident? Road accidents can cause many types of injury. Possible injury What you may notice Broken bone Pain, swelling, a sore area, trouble using an arm or leg, or a change in shape Sprain or soft-tissue injury Pain, swelling, and less movement Head injury Headache, confusion, sleepiness, vomiting, or other brain-related signs Spinal injury Neck or back pain, weakness, numbness, or trouble moving Chest injury Chest pain, trouble breathing, or pain when touched Belly injury Belly pain, soreness, weakness, or other worrying signs Cuts and wounds Bleeding, pain, or damaged skin and tissue These signs do not prove what the injury is. Some serious injuries may have few clear signs at first. So, medical care may be important after a serious crash. When should you go to a hospital after a road accident? Medical care is very important if there is: Loss of consciousness Trouble breathing Heavy bleeding A strong blow to the head A possible broken bone Severe or worsening pain Weakness, numbness, or other nerve-related signs Chest or belly symptoms Any doubt about how serious the injury may be Even if a person looks fine after a major crash, they should not assume that all is well. Some signs may appear later. The right type of care depends on the injury, the person’s symptoms, and the type of crash. What happens during road accident treatment? Treatment usually starts with a check of the person’s condition. Depending on the injury, health workers may check: Breathing Blood flow Bleeding Brain and nerve signs Pain Movement Other signs of injury Next, they may do more checks or tests. For example, an X-ray may be needed if a broken bone is suspected. Treatment can be different for each person. It may include: Cleaning a wound Keeping an injured body part still Using a cast or splint Pain relief Surgery Watching the patient Sending