Oftentimes when you are involved in a car accident, your body will pitch back and forth at the time of impact. In only a few moments, you can cause damage to your soft tissue with a whiplash injury of this nature. Whiplash is most common in rear-end accident injuries, when a vehicle hits yours from behind. At this time, the driver of the front vehicle will naturally move back and then forward. Sometimes, the head will snap violently during this contact.
While many people refer to this injury as whiplash, it is also commonly called a cervical sprain, a cervical strain, a soft tissue injury or a hyperextension injury. Sometimes, whiplash accidents happen in accidents that occur even at relatively low speeds. You don't have to be going 60 mph to suffer a serious whiplash injury. Attorneys say that even at low speeds the unexpected impact of a rear0end collision can cause injury to vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments in the neck.
Oftentimes, you won't recognize a whiplash injury right away. Sometimes, the pain will come hours or even days later as the muscles finally start to relax and the pain sets in. Usually, when an individual gets in a car accident, natural psychological responses will cause the driver to be tense. Within the next few days, victims of a whiplash accident may experience a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms include headaches, back pain, memory problems, serious neck pain, tightness and stiffness in the neck, dizziness, problems with balance and equilibrium, and difficulty concentrating.
If you are suffering from a whiplash injury from a rear-end accident, then you will probably want to file a claim against the driver who was responsible for the accident. Chances are that you will be able to get compensation for all medical care affiliated with your whiplash injuries and treatment. You may need to meet with a medical specialist for this injury.
This may mean going to a back and neck expert or heading ti a chiropractor for treatment. You may also need to see a neurologist. Treatment can cost a lot of money for a whiplash accident, but is necessary if you seek a quick recovery. If you can't afford all of this medical treatment, make sure to hire a car accident attorney that can help you to seek the financial compensation that you deserve. You may need to immobilize your neck with a brace or cervical collar, or may need to attend physical therapy.
You may also need to take muscle relaxants and may need to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs.) Some individuals who suffer whiplash prefer to go to massage therapy. In extreme whiplash cases, the victim may even need to undergo cervical traction or surgery. This is typically in cases where ligament damage is extensive.
Whiplash injuries vary in severity. Some people will only suffer the pain of a whiplash injury for a couple of weeks, and most victims will recover from the injury within a month or two. Yet there are some individuals who still suffer with chronic pain from a whiplash injury that occurred years ago. Make sure that you get the financial compensation that you deserve for your injury.
If you have suffered whiplash, a lawyer near you can help. Use this directory to locate a car accident attorney that understands how to litigate when it comes to soft tissue or whiplash injuries. With the right attorney on your side, you may be able to seek a generous settlement that will more than cover all medical expenses, lost wages during recovery, and punitive damages.