by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car accidents can happen quickly over the tiniest distraction or stray driver in your vehicle’s path. The best way to prevent injuries is to adhere to proven car safety practices, like keeping your eyes on the road. Plus, always wear your seatbelt, and avoid doing anything that takes your hands off the wheel.

Fortunately, seatbelts and advanced safety features help prevent many fatal car accidents. However, post-collision injury symptoms might not arise until weeks after a crash. So look out for these six delayed symptoms that might follow an auto accident.

Numbness and tingling after a car accident

These two sensations are easily ignored because they don’t usually interfere with daily activities. However, they can often indicate a pinched nerve and should be evaluated by a medical professional. That’s because numbness or tingling could be a sign of internal bleeding, blood clots, or damage to your brain and spinal cord. All of these problems are potentially life-threatening if left untreated, Sawaya Law explains.

PTSD following a car crash

Some people dismiss post-traumatic stress disorder as simple nervousness, but flashbacks to the car accident can be deeply upsetting. PTSD often manifests in physical symptoms such as stomach pains, sweating, ringing ears, and shakiness. Depending upon the severity of the accident, it might cause some people to avoid driving altogether. 

This can cause them to miss important appointments and fail to attend work or school. That feeling of failure, combined with the leftover trauma from the accident, can cause depression. If you feel mentally unwell after an accident, a combination of therapy and medication is recommended. In the U.S. and Canada, texting the Crisis Text Line at 741741 reaches a crisis counselor for support.

Abdominal discomfort

Although lingering fears of another crash can cause an upset stomach, the pain might signal a more serious problem. If you notice your abdomen is unusually swollen, there could be internal bleeding. That, in turn, can cause nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The good news is that stomach pain is relatively quick to appear after a car accident, so you can get it treated immediately.

Back pain

Your back might be sore after getting into a fender-bender, but persistent pain needs to be addressed. It could be a symptom of ligament or muscle damage, which requires extra rest and possibly pain medication. In more serious cases, it might be a spinal cord injury or herniated disc that requires immediate medical attention, Ben Crump Law explains.

Backaches can also extend all the way down to your legs if left untreated. This could interfere with your mobility and make driving a car unsafe. It could also cause long-term physical or neurological disabilities and chronic pain even years after the accident.

Stiff neck or shoulders

Shoulder and neck stiffness can be hard to distinguish from poor posture or awkward sleeping positions. However, RiteCare says these two symptoms are often caused by whiplash after a car accident. This is very common when a collision causes you to jolt forward in your seat.

You can resolve most cases of whiplash with neck exercises, cold compresses, and possibly pain medication. However, you should always get an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI after the accident as a precaution. Neck and shoulder pain can also be caused by torn ligaments or a rotator cuff injury.

Headaches 

Although not immediately apparent, the impact of a collision can cause concussions and potentially fatal brain injuries. The earliest symptoms of these problems are persistent headaches, dizziness, and confusion. If left untreated, they could cause basic motor function issues or memory problems.

Car accidents are physically and emotionally damaging. And if your car was totaled in a crash, trying to find a new one could cause even more stress. However, you should never put off medical care after something as serious as a collision.

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The post You Should Never Ignore These 6 Symptoms After a Car Accident appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the road with a vehicle that won’t budge, the most sensible option would be to tow your car to a safe location or a mechanic for repairs. Depending on the situation, you could hire a professional or do it yourself. Although towing a car yourself isn’t advisable, it might be your only option in some instances.

Nevertheless, there’s a right and a wrong way to go about it. Though using a chain or a rope might seem sensible in an emergency, it shouldn’t be your first choice. Because of car safety reasons, you shouldn’t use a rope or chain to tow your vehicle.

State laws governing the use of a rope or chain instead of a tow hitch

Using a rope or chain to tow your car was once legal and still is now in some areas, but not on freeways. According to AMR Auto Repair & Towing, most states allow the use of a rope or a chain for towing, provided that you use the right tools follow the recommended guidelines. But when you don’t follow the safe practices for towing, it can pose a risk to you and those around you — and you may be held accountable by law. Therefore, many states have made it illegal to use a chain or rope for towing on freeways.

Nevertheless, according to AAA, some states still legalize using a rope or chain to tow vehicles. Examples are Delaware, Mississippi, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, and Louisiana. Always check state laws to find out whether additional guidelines are required. Also, establish whether a specific color of cloth or sign is needed while towing.

Why tow hitches are safer than chains and ropes

Ropes snap, and chains break. Most are not strong enough to handle the weight of a vehicle. Although chains are stronger and more durable than ropes, they are still not safe for towing. They lack the flexibility for the various pull directions and tensions involved in towing.

On the other hand, you can adjust a tow hitch to accommodate various applications and accessories. With an adjustable hitch, you can move the tow ball up and down rather than being stuck in one position.

Other safe uses for tow hitches

Tow hitches are versatile. In addition to pulling vehicles, they also have many other lesser-known uses. They vary in functionality and practical application. Because it’s easy to fit most vehicles with a trailer hitch, there is an increased opportunity for expanded functionality. Like any big purchase, you hope to get the most out of your investment, and a tow hitch is no different. Here are a few alternative uses for tow hitches:

• Cargo management: A cargo carrier is ideal for carrying various items, such as camping gear, sporting equipment, and tools.
• Bike rack base: Attaching a bike rack to a tow hitch helps you free up space in your vehicle’s cargo area.
• Trailer hitch hammock: This allows you to set up a hammock for reading or relaxation on the go.
• Superbumper: When you’re not towing, you can put your hitch to better use with a superbumper. It protects you and your family from injury in case of a rear-end collision.

The bottom line

Self-towing, when done the right way, comes in handy in desperate situations. However, it’s important to remember that improper towing can not only damage your vehicle but also pose a danger to other motorists. Professional towing companies have many years of experience, knowledge, and the required tools to do the job safely. By contrast, using inexperienced people is a high-risk activity. But if you really must do it yourself, you’re safer using a tow hitch instead of a rope or chain.

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The post Can You Legally Tow a Car With a Rope or Chain? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.