If you believe you’ve suffered whiplash as the result of a car accident, call our lawyers at 1-800-ATTORNEY today for a free consultation, and learn how we can help.

Whiplash (neck sprain or neck strain) often occurs when there is a sudden backward or forward jerking of the head, something which frequently occurs in car accidents. When such a sudden and forceful event occurs to the neck, the intervertebral joints, cervical muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerve roots may suffer serious damage.

Whiplash is a very common injury from a car accident. Unfortunately, this type of injury can remain unnoticed for several days after the event, which is why seeking immediate medical treatment following an accident is so important. Having an attorney on your side is also vital, because the insurance company’s goal is to pay out as little as possible in order to save their company money. As your lawyer, our job is to advocate on your behalf in order to ensure you get every penny that you deserve.

Symptoms of Whiplash

An injured person may not feel the effects of whiplash for 24 hours or more after the occurrence of the original trauma. However, one or more of the following symptoms may be noticeable within the first few days following the initial injury:

• Pain and stiffness in the neck
• Headaches
• Numbness or pain in the arm and/or hand
• Pain in the lower back
• Difficulty with concentration or memory
• Dizziness
• Irritability, fatigue, or problems sleeping
• Pain between the shoulder blades or in the shoulder

Diagnosis and Treatment

The majority of the time, whiplash injuries involve soft tissues such as the discs, ligaments, and muscles, which cannot be detected using standard X-rays. In order to diagnose these types of injuries, it is necessary to use CT scans or MRIs in order to assess any damage to the muscles, ligaments, or discs.

Once whiplash is diagnosed, a proper course of treatment can be determined. There is no single treatment plan that is proven to be 100% effective, but a combination of pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, general exercises, massage, physical therapy, traction, ultrasound, ice, heat, and injections are helpful for many patients.

Previously, the treatment for whiplash injuries was to immobilize the neck through the use of a cervical collar, but modern treatments encourage early movement. Doctors also recommend ice during the first 24 hours and gentle, active movement after that time.

Complications Associated with Whiplash

Some people who suffer a whiplash injury experience chronic pain or headaches over the long-term (months or years) following the accident. In some cases, doctors can trace the pain to damaged joints in the neck, ligaments, and disks, but treating the symptoms of chronic pain may be more difficult.

In most cases, there are no long-term complications from a whiplash injury. The usual recovery time can range between a few days to several weeks. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that recovery for most people occurs within three months.

Anyone who has suffered whiplash in a car accident needs to consult with an attorney about their legal options moving forward. The attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm are happy to provide a free consultation over the phone (24 hours a day) at 1-800-ATTORNEY, and we never charge a penny unless we actually win your case.