Many types of accidents can result in many types of injuries. For example, deep lacerations are common in motor vehicle accidents.
If you suffer a deep laceration, it’s critical to receive immediate medical care. However, there are things you can do from a first aid perspective to help your cause.
First off, if your laceration meets one of the following requirements, you should immediately call 911:
- Severe bleeding
- Bleeding that is spurting out of your body
- Inability to stop the bleeding after 10 minutes of applying pressure
In general, any laceration that requires stitches should ideally receive attention within six hours.
In regards to first aid, do the following:
- Take steps to stop the bleeding: This entails applying direct and constant pressure to the laceration. Every few minutes you can stop to see if the bleeding is slowing.
- Clean the injured area: Depending on your location, you may be able to clean the area with a bar of mild soap and warm water. This helps reduces the chance of infection.
- Cover the area: If available, cover the area with a clean bandage. If not, use a clean piece of clothing.
Once you receive professional medical treatment, you’ll better understand how to treat your laceration and the impact it’ll have on your life in the future.
For example, if the laceration is located on your face, you may need to undergo surgery to minimize the impact on your appearance.
If another person was responsible for the accident that caused your injury, look into the many ways you can obtain compensation from them.