Whiplash is one of the most common types of car accident injuries, however, it may also occur in slip and fall accidents. Injured parties will typically feel pain and stiffness in their necks; however, symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, pain radiating down the arms and numbness and tingling in the hands.

Whiplash Basics
Whiplash is an injury which most frequently occurs when a vehicle is impacted from the rear. The impact thrusts the vehicle forward and the occupants’ body is accelerated forward by the seat back. Moments later, the neck muscles contract and a person’s head will snap forward before rebounding back. This back-and-forth motion is often referred to as “whiplash” because the head moves like a whip. Side impacts can also result in whiplash when the head snaps side to side.

Whiplash injuries involve the soft tissues in the neck, i.e., the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Many people suffer from pain in their shoulders and upper back when nerves become irritated. In some cases, the whipping motion is so forceful that joints in the neck can crack, however, most whiplash victims don’t suffer a fracture.

Whiplash Severity
Some whiplash is mild, causing only temporary discomfort, however, more severe whiplash injuries result in debilitating pain making it impossible for victims to move their heads. Additional problems include severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and nerve damage and spinal disc herniations.

Whiplash is one of those injuries that might take a few days to fully manifest. What starts out as an ache will quickly become extreme pain. Be sure to visit a doctor whenever you feel pain following a car accident.

Whiplash Recovery
Many victims need brief rest and then a course of physical therapy to rehabilitate the soft tissues of the neck. Medical pain management is often helpful in managing a victim’s pain.Surgery is rare but might be required for severe cases.

The Cost of Whiplash
Whiplash is very disruptive and accident victims are often in so much pain that they cannot work or perform their normal daily activities.

Medical care can be expensive, especially if you need months of rehabilitation or surgery. The $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits is often insufficient to cover the full loss of income and medical expenses and won’t compensate victims for the pain and suffering they endure. A personal injury claim against the at fault party can provide a mechanism by which the victim can recover a settlement to offset these costs.

We Can Help
If you have lost a loved one have been injured in a Personal Injury Accident, Uriarte Law can provide you the help and resources you need. Our experienced Personal Injury lawyers, experts and professionals strive for justice and fairness in the form of compensation for victims of all types of Personal Injury accidents.
Call Uriarte Law at 785-891-3614