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Tampa Auto Accident Statistics That Will Make You Drive Safer

Tampa is a vibrant and thriving city that is quickly gaining popularity among visitors and residents alike. Blessed with stunning weather and easy access to the beach, Tampa boasts an impressive array of activities and attractions to enjoy. But, with the increase in traffic on the city’s roads, the number of car accidents has also risen sharply. 

Even the most cautious drivers can find themselves involved in a collision at some point, and unfortunately, car accidents can be devastating, causing significant physical injury, emotional trauma, and financial strain on affected individuals and their families. It’s essential to be aware of the risks of driving in Tampa and take measures to stay safe while on the road. Here are some Tampa accident statistics that will make you a safer driver. 

About 16% of Florida Car Accidents Occur in Tampa

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has reported a staggering 400,431 traffic crashes in the Sunshine State during 2021. The number of accidents increased by 17% from the previous year, resulting in more than 1,000 accidents per day. Shockingly, over a quarter-million people were injured in vehicle accidents in Florida in 2021, and another 3,707 were tragically killed. 

When examining individual counties, Hillsborough County had 28,014 motor vehicle accidents, which nearly doubled to 62,995 when considering the greater Tampa Bay area. In fact, the Tampa Bay area accounts for approximately 16% of all car wrecks in Florida. These statistics highlight the critical importance of safe driving practices and the dire consequences of not following traffic laws.

Tampa Is Dangerous for Commuters

Reports have shown that driving in Florida is not for the faint of heart, as it is one of the most dangerous states for commuters in the country. Unfortunately, Hillsborough County is no exception, and it has been identified as one of the most perilous large counties in the nation for commuters. 

The numbers are concerning: in 2021 alone, Hillsborough County recorded 263 fatalities and a total of 246 fatal car accidents. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists were among the most vulnerable, with a startling 16 bike fatalities in 467 bike crashes, 35 motorcycle fatalities in 582 motorcycle accidents, and 68 pedestrian fatalities in 654 pedestrian accidents. Sadly, the numbers don’t end there, as there were also 23 hit-and-run fatalities in 7,308 hit-and-run crashes. Clearly, Tampa’s roads are more dangerous compared to other areas in the United States. 

Drunk and Drugged Driving Is a Big Problem in Tampa

Drunk driving is a devastating problem on Tampa roadways. As per the CDC, every day, 29 Americans lose their lives in car accidents that involve drug or alcohol use. 28% of all traffic fatalities in 2019 were a result of drunk driving accidents. Regrettably, the situation in Tampa Bay is no different. In 2021 alone, 54 accidents took place in the Tampa Bay area, which involved drug or alcohol use, leading to 46 lives lost, and injuring 27 others. 

Stay Safe on Tampa’s Roadways

While you can do your best to drive safely as you travel Tampa’s roadways, you can’t control the conduct of other drivers. If you’re involved in an accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately—even if you have no symptoms. Injuries can present themselves days, weeks, or months after the incident, but prompt medical attention can improve your outcome. Call Impact Medical Group of Tampa at (813) 283-1910 to schedule your free evaluation and start your recovery journey today.

What Are the Stages of Concussion Recovery?

If you or someone you love has been in an accident and is suffering from a concussion, it’s important to know the stages of recovery. At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we understand how concerning a concussion can be and are dedicated to helping our patients through each stage of recovery.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey with concussion recovery or are looking for more information on the process, this article will provide an overview of what to expect. Let’s get started.

Recovering From a Concussion: Key Milestones Ahead

Concussions are injuries that can happen to anyone at any time. It can occur due to a fall, sports injury, or car accident. The brain is a delicate organ, and sustaining an injury like a concussion needs proper care and rest for a full recovery.

Concussion recovery has different stages that everyone goes through in their journey toward getting better. They include:

Evaluation

If you have suffered from a concussion, it’s vital to get evaluated as soon as possible. Even if your symptoms appear mild, it’s important to seek medical advice. At our clinic, we offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment for concussions that will help you recover quickly.

An evaluation after a concussion can determine the severity of your injury and identify any potential complications that may arise. Our team of experienced doctors will conduct a thorough neurological examination to assess cognitive function and balance. With this information, we can work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

We understand how stressful dealing with a concussion can be. Our friendly staff provides quality care and support throughout your recovery journey. Whether you need medication management or physical therapy, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Rest

The next stage of concussion recovery is rest. Recent research has shed even more light on just how crucial this next stage of concussion recovery is.

It’s important to understand that a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. This means that while physical symptoms like headaches and dizziness may fade relatively quickly, the brain itself is still healing for quite some time afterward.

During this healing process, rest becomes essential. Doctors often recommend that those who have suffered concussions take complete mental and physical rest for several days to allow the brain time to heal properly.

This means avoiding any activities that could cause stress or overstimulation—including things like exercise, screen time, loud noises, or bright lights.

Begin Therapy

After getting medical clearance from your doctor, it’s time to take the next step and get started on a personalized plan with a licensed physical therapist. By doing so, you can help reduce symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and loss of balance that may arise in the aftermath of your injury.

During your first physical therapy session after a concussion, your therapist will assess your condition to determine which areas need the most focus. Depending on the severity of your injury and its effects on motor control, balance, and coordination tests may be conducted to determine what exercises are best suited for you.

With this information in hand, you’ll work together with your therapist to create an individualized treatment plan designed to safely improve function while minimizing the risk of re-injury.

Then, once your therapist believes you are ready, they will help you reintroduce light activities gradually, such as walking or stationary biking. Doing this helps improve blood flow to the brain while keeping symptoms under control.

Returning to Normal Activity

Finally, the last stage of concussion recovery involves returning to normal activities slowly while monitoring symptoms closely.

It’s important to note that this stage of recovery should only begin with your doctor’s approval. Your healthcare provider will give you guidance on what activities you can safely engage in, as well as how much exertion you should put into each activity. It may take some time before you’re able to fully participate in all your usual activities without experiencing any symptoms.

While reintroducing normal activities into your daily routine may feel exciting after a period of rest and recuperation, it’s important not to rush things.

Start Your Road to Recovery Now

Remember, it is important to seek treatment and therapy for a concussion from a qualified medical team. At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions and our team is ready to help you recover from your concussion so you can get back to your life safely and quickly.

We understand that having a concussion can be stressful and overwhelming, but don’t worry—we are here to help you every step of the way. Contact our team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel to schedule an appointment today; (813) 953-1002!

How Much Does A Chiropractor Cost Without Insurance?

Did you know that roughly 35 million Americans seek chiropractic care a year? That might sound like a lot, but when you consider the fact that there are over 300 million people occupying the country, that number appears minuscule rather quickly. Everyone can benefit from chiropractic adjustments, and so the fact that there’s a good chunk of the population not receiving care makes you wonder why that is. Of course, one of the main reasons has to do with cost. Impact Medical Group is here to show you how much chiropractic care can cost without the help of insurance, and what you can do to still receive treatment without it.

Paying A Premium Without Insurance

Many of us rely heavily on health insurance for all of our medical expenses, but sadly, not everyone has that sort of luxury. People who don’t have the insurance to cover chiropractic visits are quick to give up on the idea of improving their bodies with professional adjustments because the cost of each session out-of-pocket can be absurd. On average, a single visit to a chiropractor can range from $100-$200. When you’re just starting out, it’s recommended to seek treatment a few times a week until your body gets used to the motions. An entire month’s worth of visits, three days a week, can result in over $2,000 without assistance from insurance companies. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a place that offers around $60 a session, you could still be paying much less with a modern way of paying for chiropractic care.

A Better Way To Get The Care You Need

One of the reasons why chiropractic visits cost so much is that it typically includes a full exam. However, if you’re just looking for regular adjustments, these frequent inspections aren’t really necessary. One way to circumvent paying a premium on something you don’t really need is to look into newer self-pay chiros. You will receive an initial exam with an adjustment for as low as $39 for your first visit, and the rest is up to you! With this modern system, you can pay for your visits in advance with each session only consisting of the adjustment you need to treat your body and continue on with your day. This genius format allows professionals the opportunity to offer much lower prices for their services so more people have access to chiropractic care.

Self-Pay Chiro Prices

6 visits $198 ($33 per adjustment)

12 visits $336 ($28 per adjustment)

24 visits $552 ($33 per adjustment)

Who Qualifies For Self-Pay Chiropractic Services?

If you feel like you can’t pay for chiropractic care without insurance, you might be tempted to avoid seeing a chiropractor altogether and try your luck with at-home exercises. However, doing so can be extremely dangerous without the guidance of a trained and licensed professional, or without the proper equipment. Self-pay chiros are a great way for you to get the adjustments you need in convenient sessions whenever you want it so you can better improve your body over time. Anyone looking to achieve a healthier and more flexible body can seek self-pay chiros, even athletes who are looking to gain an edge for their next match.

Impact Medical: Your Reliable Self-Pay Chiro

For more information on how our self-pay system works and if this method is right for you, contact your nearest Impact Medical location today! We are proud to offer low prices on professional chiropractic care to help you feel better about being in your own body.

What Happens To Your Organs During a Crash?

Car accidents—even minor ones—can cause serious injuries, some of which involve lifelong complications. When a car is forced to a sudden stop during a collision, the impact forces on the occupants can be tremendous. Occupants can be thrown into the doors, the dash, the front seats, or even out of the vehicle. 

Even occupants wearing a seat belt can be injured as the belt restrains their body. These forms of blunt force trauma can cause serious damage to the body, including internal organs. Here’s a brief overview of what happens to your organs during a crash.

Impact Injuries Can Damage Internal Organs

Internal organs are some of the most important structures in the human body, responsible for the functioning of countless bodily processes necessary for survival. Unfortunately, in the event of a car accident, these vital organs are not immune to injury. The force produced by a collision can cause impact injuries that strain and damage the internal organs, leading to internal bleeding and other life-threatening complications. 

Also, sharp objects like broken glass, metal, or projectiles can easily slice through tissue and penetrate internal organs. These penetrating injuries can be even more dangerous, increasing the risk of infection and further tissue damage. It is crucial to understand the risks associated with internal organ injuries and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself in the event of a collision. 

Organs That Are Vulnerable in Crashes

While all parts of the body, including internal organs, are vulnerable to impact injuries due to a car accident, there are some that are more at risk than others. Here are the three most commonly damaged organs in car crashes:

• Thanks to its location in the abdomen—below the left rib cage and near the stomach—the spleen is a commonly-injured organ in car accidents. If a vehicle occupant suffers an impact injury to the abdomen, it can perforate or rupture the spleen and cause internal bleeding. Depending on the extent of the damage, the spleen may have to be removed. Luckily, a person can live without their spleen, but it does compromise the immune system.

• The liver is the body’s largest organ, and it performs critical functions necessary for blood clotting, digestion, metabolization, and more. Strong impacts to the upper right abdomen can cause liver damage. Most liver damage can be treated non-invasively, but some require surgery.

• These two bean-shaped organs filter blood to produce urine and waste. Their location on each side of the spine makes them vulnerable when someone experiences a mid-to-low back injury in a car crash, especially a rear-end collision. While treatment depends on the severity of the injury, it’s important to remember that kidney damage is sometimes not apparent right away, and life-threatening delayed bleeding can occur. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident to ensure there are no underlying symptoms that indicate kidney damage or damage to other internal organs.

Get a Medical Evaluation After a Car Accident

Even if you think your car accident was minor, it’s important to understand that injuries can still happen. In fact, some injuries may not present symptoms immediately, making it even more imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

Even seemingly small bumps can cause serious internal damage, such as whiplash, concussions, or herniated discs. If left untreated, these injuries can lead to chronic pain and even permanent disability. Protect your health and your future by scheduling your medical evaluation with the caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of Brandon today. Call now at (813) 522-8855!