Whiplash is a serious and potentially long-term injury that is common in car accidents and other types of vehicle collisions. If you have experienced symptoms of whiplash after an accident in which someone else was to blame, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses.
What Causes Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head suddenly moves forward or backward faster than the rest of the body. The neck can only stretch so far, and when it has stretched to its limit, the head snaps back in a whip-like motion. This whipping motion gives whiplash its name, and often leads to some or all of the symptoms discussed below.
Technically, whiplash is a type of neck strain. A strain is an injury to the muscle or tendons (the bands of tissue that connect your neck muscles to your spine) that commonly results from over-extension. Due to the extreme forces involved, whiplash is common in front-end collisions, rear-end collisions and other types of accidents.
What are the Effects of Whiplash?
Whiplash can have a number of short-term and long-term effects. Some of the most common immediate symptoms of whiplash (typically arising within 24 hours) include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Limited range of motion in the neck
- Neck pain (which often gets worse with movement)
- Neck stiffness
- Tenderness or tingling in the arms and shoulders
While most people’s symptoms subside within a few months, some accident victims can experience complications from whiplash for years after their injury. One of the most common complications is chronic pain.
The risk and severity of chronic pain can often be reduced through various forms of treatment – including rest, ultrasound, applying heat and anti-inflammatory medications – however, you should consult your doctor before undertaking any course of treatment for your whiplash injury.
How Can I Recover Compensation for Whiplash?
Like all types of accident-related injuries, if your whiplash is the result of someone else’s negligence (such as distracted driving or drinking and then getting behind the wheel), you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. This includes not only your medical bills and pain and suffering, but any lost income, future medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life and other losses as well.
If you suffered whiplash in an accident, one of the most important things you can do is to speak with an attorneybefore you settle with the insurance companies. The insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible, and an experienced Crestview auto accident attorney will be able to help make sure that you do not settle for less than you deserve.
For More Information, Contact Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A. in Crestview, FL
To learn more about your rights after suffering whiplash in an accident, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Call (850) 682-2757 or contact us online to find out if you have a claim today.