The symptoms associated with whiplash, according to the professionals at John Hopkins University, can include neck pain and stiffness that may radiate to your shoulders or arms; tingling in your arms or fingers; low back pain; dizziness; blurry vision; ringing in your ears; and issues with concentration or memory. Whiplash is an injury to your neck caused by the forced motion of your head going back and forth at an accelerated and decelerated rate. While is whiplash may be caused by a sports injury or a fall, most notably whiplash is attributable to rear-end accidents. Whiplash is often undiagnosed and misunderstood or downplayed.

Whiplash is diagnosed by several methods, most commonly an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan. If you are diagnosed with whiplash your health care provider may order you to undergo physical therapy, wear a cervical collar, apply ice, take muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory medication.

Typically, symptoms of whiplash tend or resolve or decrease within several weeks or months after your accident. In some cases, however, pain and symptoms may persist well after that. It is crucial to obtain medical treatment from a health care provider who is well versed with symptoms and issues relating to car accidents, including whiplash.

Call our office today to discuss your questions or concerns relating to your car accident, including whiplash. While we would never advise or direct medical care we certainly understand and have vast experience with the legal aspects that surround whiplash injuries.

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What is Whiplash?

As the name of the injury suggests, whiplash happens when your neck is forcefully whipped back and forth. The muscles, tendons, and spinal discs in the neck are susceptible to injury from this sudden jolt and violent motion. Something to keep in mind is that even at a low-speed collision, it could still cause you to whip your neck and trigger whiplash. Headrests and seatbelts can mitigate the severity of whiplash injuries; however, not by much.

Can Whiplash Cause Lasting Trauma?

Most whiplash cases develop within a couple of days after the accident; some of the less severe symptoms include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Worsening of pain with movement
• Loss of range of motion
• Headaches
• Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

If the victim lets his whiplash go undiagnosed and untreated, it will only get worse. Other symptoms of whiplash will start to manifest after a few more days. Some severe whiplash symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Amnesia
• Migraines
• Extreme loss of mobility
• Vision or hearing loss

Treatment

A doctor will try to prescribe whiplash treatment therapies that will help minimize pain and restore your loss of mobility. Various different treatment methods could help you. Among them are:

• Bedrest
• Hot and cold compresses
• Painkillers
• Exercise
• Physical therapy
• Protective collars

In extremely severe whiplash cases, a doctor might recommend for surgery or injections to help alleviate the worst symptoms. These treatments cost a lot and most times exceed healthcare insurance coverage. However, we do not wish for you to pay for this necessary treatment on your own. We recommend you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you file a claim against the driver that caused the accident. Call our office here at Hernandez Personal Injury Law to get a free consultation today.

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Whiplash in car accidents

One of the most common types of injuries in low-speed collisions is muscle injury to the neck and shoulder area. It is a natural response when you see an accident coming to tense up and become stiff as you brace for impact. When we stiffen our muscles, they have less give; this can result in soft tissue damage even if something does not hit or strike a person when they are in a car crash. Whiplash occurs when the head is jolted from one direction to another; when a car comes to an abrupt stop. This quick and forceful movement can damage the spine, nerves, connective tissue, and muscles.

Side-effects of whiplash include:

• Stiffness and pain
• Difficulty moving the neck
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Headaches that typically begin at the base of the skull

When should I see a doctor?

It is generally a good idea to see a doctor after an auto accident, slip and fall, or when you have hit your head or had an object strike your head. The most important thing is to ensure that you and anyone involved in the accident have been properly treated for any medical concern. If you did not visit an emergency or an Instacare facility, you should visit a hospital immediately about pain or discomfort. Injuries stand the best chance of healing correctly when they have been treated by a medical professional. If you or a loved one has had neck, shoulder, or back pain after an accident, considers calling The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez today.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This website contains general information relating to areas of law familiar to our firm. The information should not be construed as legal advice or other professional advice. You should not rely on the contents of this website as such. Participation on this website does not create any kind of attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice or representation, please contact my office, and I would be pleased to discuss your case with you and see if my firm can help.

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