Whiplash Can Be Devastating – Don’t Suffer Alone
Millions of cases of whiplash take place each year across the U.S. Out of these injuries, at least one in 50 will develop chronic pain that needs ongoing medical attention. One out of every 100 will suffer lifelong pain from the injury. Whiplash injuries should not be underestimated after a car accident. If you have suffered whiplash due to another person’s negligence, you need to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a term that is used to describe the abrupt whipping motion of the neck and head. When a person’s head is jerked forward and then immediately backwards, the muscles and tendons in the neck often stretch and tear resulting in inflammation, stiffness, and pain. The extent of the whiplash injury depends on the type of accident that happened. Common causes of whiplash include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Contact sports
- Assault
When to Seek Medical Treatment for Whiplash
Although your injuries may seem minor, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The symptoms of whiplash often don’t rear their ugly heads until several hours after the accident. However, leaving your injuries untreated for even a few days can result in damage that is irreversible. Your neck is the pathway for dozens of nerves and is crucial for balance and many other aspects of daily activities. Symptoms of whiplash are often varied, but common symptoms may include the following:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Range of motion loss in the neck
- Pain with movement of the neck
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
Extreme cases of whiplash may also result in the following symptoms:
- Memory issues
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and depression
Treating Whiplash
The first step to treating whiplash is getting a correct diagnosis. If you think that you have suffered a neck injury, it is imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately. Once you have been diagnosed with whiplash, your physician will likely start the process of restabilizing damaged neck tissue. This may include wearing a neck brace, muscle relaxants, hot and cold therapy, physical therapy, injections, massage, and more.
Failing to treat whiplash adequately can result in an increased likelihood that you will have chronic pain and long-lasting implications due to your injuries. More severe trauma can even result in double vision, difficulty focusing, or even permanent blindness.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
Whiplash can happen to anyone in the blink of an eye but can result in long-term, even life-long, consequences. An experienced West Palm Beach auto accident attorney like those at Pike & Lustig, LLP will work to get you the compensation that you deserve including the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You do not have to fight this battle alone. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
https://www.turnpikelaw.com/head-on-collision-kills-two/
