Musculoskeletal injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries such as bone fractures or breaks. Understanding what to look for when helping someone involved in a car crash is extremely important, as incorrect care could do more harm than good.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Swelling and bruising
• Difficulty moving or movement in an unnatural direction
• Limb looks shorter, twisted or bent
• Grating noise or feeling if the limb is moved
• Loss of strength
• Signs of shock
• Pain or tenderness
• Muscle spasms
• Severe bleeding if an artery has been affected
• Haemorrhagic shock following heavy blood loss (symptoms include rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, blue lips and fingernails, chest pain, sweating and loss of consciousness)