If you recently had a car accident, it is possible that you suffered a whiplash injury. While the condition typically shows up quickly, there are situations in which this injury takes days or even weeks to manifest. How do you know if your pain is caused by whiplash, and therefore a result of your accident?
Cervical Acceleration-Deceleration is more commonly referred to as whiplash. It isa spinal injury caused by a rapid, sudden movement of the head. The majority of whiplash scenarios are caused by automobile accidents, more frequently rear-end accidents. Other potential causes of whiplash, although far less common, include:
- Assault
- Roller coaster rides
- Slip and fall accidents
Although this injury is often thought of as minor, serious cases of whiplash resulting from auto accidents can persist for months, cause cervical problems and necessitate extensive or ongoing treatment.
Symptoms of Whiplash Injury
Whiplash injury symptoms can be complex and difficult to diagnose. For some people, the symptoms are alleviated in just a few days. For other victims, symptoms can become chronic, ranging from low-grade pain to severe cognitive issues.
The most commonly reported whiplash symptom is neck pain. However, this pain can be mild or quite excruciating. In addition to neck pain, whiplash may manifest as:
- Stiff neck
- Neck instability, caused by torn tissue or a fracture
- Shoulder or back pain, caused by strained or torn neck tissues, which radiates to the shoulders and back
- Headaches, caused by tight muscles or an injured cervical joint
- Dizziness, caused by neck instability or a concussion
- Memory and focus issues, caused by a brain injury, or stress.
If you have been in a car accident, you should consult with a doctor or chiropractor as soon as possible – even if you feel fine. As pointed out above, symptoms may take some time to appear.
Can Whiplash Be Healed?
Physical therapy plays an important role in whiplash recovery. It helps the patient feel better and avoid additional injuries.
Treatment may vary greatly from person to person, based on the extent of their neck injury. Less severe cases only require over-the-counter medication, rest, and exercise. More severe cases may need prescription drugs and more specialized treatment.
Do You Qualify for Whiplash Compensation?
If your whiplash injury is the result of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be eligible for compensation. Florida is a no-fault state, which means that your primary source of compensation is your own insurance company. However, if your medical bills or expenses exceed the limits of your own policy, you may wish to file a claim against the other driver and their insurance companies.
If you are looking to file a whiplash claim, remember to:
- Keep track of your injury-related expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and insurance co-pays.
- Gather evidence from the accident scene to support your case, such as photos, recordings, police reports, and witness statements.
- Call an experienced attorney before talking to the insurance companies.
Because whiplash can sneak up on you, it is important to get checked out medically as soon as possible. If you have been in an accident which caused your neck to snap rapidly back and forth, there is a good chance that you may have suffered a whiplash injury. Depending on its severity, you may be in treatment for weeks or months. Therefore it is important to make sure you get all of the compensation you deserve.
Probinsky & Cole is a personal injury law firm based in Sarasota, with offices in the Tampa and orlando areas.
