A car accident can leave you with injuries that aren't immediately obvious. One of the most common is whiplash, a soft tissue injury that affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck. While some people recover within a few weeks, others experience ongoing pain that affects their ability to work, drive, or enjoy everyday activities..jpeg)
Insurance companies sometimes argue that whiplash isn't a serious injury because it may not appear on X-rays or other imaging tests. However, that doesn't make the pain any less real. Left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic discomfort and long-term complications.
If another driver's negligence caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation. At Browning Law Firm, we help accident victims understand their legal options while they focus on recovery. If you've been injured in a crash, our Florida car accident attorneys can review your case during a free consultation.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when your head is suddenly forced backward and then forward, or side to side. The movement is similar to the cracking motion of a whip, which is where the injury gets its name. This sudden force can stretch or tear the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your neck.
Although rear-end collisions are the most common cause, whiplash can also occur in:
- Head-on collisions
- Side-impact crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Other traumatic events involving sudden neck movement
Even a low-speed collision can generate enough force to cause whiplash.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash symptoms don’t always start at the scene of the accident. Instead, they may develop in the hours or days following the crash. You should report symptoms of whiplash to your doctor immediately, so you can begin getting treatment and your medical record accurately reflects your injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain that gets worse with movement
- Stiff neck
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, which may start at the base of the skull
- Pain or tenderness in the shoulder or upper back
- Pain, tenderness, tingling, or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ear ringing (tinnitus)
- Changes in your sleep patterns
- Unexplained irritability
- Trouble concentrating or confusion
- Memory problems
- Depression
You may experience many of these problems simultaneously or throughout your recovery period.
Whiplash Treatment
Treatment may include one or more of the following:
- Medications. Muscle relaxants, injections, medications to relieve nerve pain, and pain relief medication can all help people who suffer whiplash.
- At-home treatments. Your doctor may recommend rest, heat, cold, and certain exercises to help with whiplash pain.
- Physical therapy. A physical therapist may help you control your pain, increase range of motion, and prevent further injury.
- Foam collars. Foam collars can limit your neck movements but are typically not worn for significant amounts of time.
The length and parameters of your treatment depend on your unique injury and medical needs.
Why You Should Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Whiplash may not show up on standard imaging tests, but that doesn't mean the injury should be ignored. A medical evaluation can help rule out more serious injuries, such as fractures or spinal cord damage, while documenting your condition.
Prompt treatment also strengthens any future injury claim. If you delay seeing a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries weren't caused by the accident or weren't serious enough to require medical care.
Your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing or refer you to a specialist depending on your symptoms and medical history.
Legal Compensation for Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash may not show up on medical imaging tests in the same way a broken bone or spinal cord injury would, but you still should go to the hospital or get medical attention right away. Your medical records can prove that you suffered whiplash from a car accident, and you may be able to recover compensation for your past and future:
- Healthcare costs. You shouldn’t have to pay for medical expenses caused by someone else’s negligence. Your hospital bills, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and other medical needs should be part of your accident recovery.
- Lost income. Any income that you couldn’t earn because of your injuries should be part of your compensation. This may include your entire income or part of your income if you have to reduce your hours or change jobs. Additionally, it includes wages, bonuses, raises, benefits, and income from self-employment.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering. Pain and suffering can be significant after a whiplash injury, but these non-economic damages are also hard to value. Our experienced car accident law firm can present compelling evidence to convince the insurance company or court of the value of your pain and suffering.
- Out-of-pocket costs. Any other expenses that you can prove were related to your accident should be part of your recovery. This could include transportation costs or household help that you didn’t need prior to your injury.
How to Protect Your Right to a Fair Recovery
Even if you suffered serious whiplash, your recovery won’t be automatic. To recover damages, you must prove that the other driver (or another party) was negligent.
Attorney Coy H. Browning knows how to investigate car crashes and fight for accident victims who suffer spinal cord and back injuries. Contact the Browning Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let’s talk about how we may be able to help you with your legal needs while you continue your physical recovery. You won’t owe us any legal fees unless we win your case.
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