The most common injury people suffer from a rear-end car accident is whiplash. Being a common injury does not mean that it’s not a serious one. The injury could start with neck pain symptoms, but sometimes it worsens and can become a problem, leading to lasting pain and trauma.
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.
