Dealing with whiplash injuries can be a pain in the neck, both literally and figuratively. Most only involve soft tissue damage, which means they won’t appear on most diagnostic tests. As a result, insurance companies tend to downplay the effects of whiplash and could outright refuse to compensate you for the harm you’ve sustained.
Fortunately, an experienced personal injury attorney can support your whiplash claim and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Below is everything you need to know about whiplash, including how to hold negligent parties accountable for your pain and suffering.
Neck Anatomy 101
Your neck, also known as the cervical spine, is composed of seven vertebrae, each of which features processes that extend off the solid body. Your spinal cord runs through the center of each vertebra.
The vertebrae within your neck protect the spinal cord and several nerve roots that protrude out into your body. They are also responsible for supporting your head, capable of moving slightly to provide flexibility when you move or turn it. However, if they get pushed outside of their normal range of motion, damage can occur.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that’s caused by a rapid, forceful back-and-forth neck movement, akin to the cracking of a whip, hence the name. Most cases of whiplash involve mild to moderate soft tissue injuries, though severe instances can result in more serious outcomes, including spinal cord damage and fractured vertebrae.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash?
Each case of whiplash is different from the next. You may experience only a couple of symptoms or a wide range of them.
Nevertheless, some signs and symptoms to watch for are as follows:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches that start at the base of your skull
- Tingling in your arms
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Loss of range of motion in your neck
- Blurred vision
- Crankiness
- Depression
- Trouble sleeping
Most of the time, your symptoms will resolve within a few weeks of your accident, but more intense cases of whiplash can result in symptoms that last months. In the rarest of instances, you may even experience permanent pain and discomfort.
How Does a Whiplash Injury Occur?
You can sustain a whiplash injury during any of the following incidents:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are one of the top causes of whiplash injuries. When your car collides with another, the sudden change in momentum can cause your head to whip forward. And as your seat belt engages, your head may whip backward, damaging your cervical vertebra.
Workplace Accidents
On-the-job accidents are also likely to result in whiplash. Collisions between two pieces of machinery, for example, could jar your head and neck. Falling or being struck could also force your head backward, placing severe strain on your neck and spine.
Sports Accidents
Fast but harsh collisions that occur during contact sports like football or wrestling can cause your head to whip around as well. If you believe you have suffered whiplash following such an incident, it’s crucial to stop engaging in any dynamic sports until your condition improves. Repeated collisions could worsen your symptoms or lead to a more severe neck injury.
Physical Abuse
Physical attacks are also a frequent cause of whiplash. If you have been attacked by another person and suffered any kind of personal injury, you may be able to pursue compensation via a civil suit. You can do so even if the criminal case is concluded or if the charges are dropped.
Just remember that a civil lawsuit will be separate from any criminal charges stemming from the incident and that different attorneys will handle each case. As such, it’s best to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your options when dealing with whiplash or other injuries from a physical attack.
What Are Some Types of Whiplash Injuries?
As whiplash is a general term to describe neck injuries caused by your head rapidly whipping forward and back, there are several injuries that it can encompass. These include the following:
Neck Strain/Sprain
Neck strains and sprains are the most common injuries caused by whiplash. They occur when the tendons or muscles in your neck are stretched too far, potentially even tearing. Most strains will resolve on their own with rest; your doctor may also recommend ice and over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to help with swelling.
Disc Damage
When your vertebrae separate and suddenly compress, the discs between them can become damaged. Two common types of disc damage include bulging discs and herniated discs, both of which can place pressure on the nerves in your neck and cause moderate to severe pain.
Fractured Vertebra
Sometimes, whiplash can outright fracture the vertebrae in your neck, an extremely serious condition that may put you at risk of paralysis or even death.
Concussion
A concussion is not a direct whiplash injury. However, the same forces that cause your head to whip forward and then back may also result in a concussion, seeing as your brain can be jostled and strike against the inner walls of your skull. Some common symptoms of a concussion include confusion, headaches, and drowsiness.
Can You Seek Compensation For a Whiplash Injury?
If your whiplash was caused by another person’s negligence or intentional act, you can seek compensation for the following factors:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you file a claim. If you would like to determine whether you are eligible to seek compensation for your whiplash injury, contact Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm as soon as possible.
Contact a Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer at Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm for Legal Help
Dealing with the effects of whiplash can be extremely challenging, but the good news is that you don’t have to face them alone. At Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm, we are passionate about representing clients like you as you pursue justice for your injuries.
Our experienced Charleston personal injury attorney will negotiate with the at-fault party and their insurance company on your behalf, and we will strive to reach a fair settlement as quickly as possible. However, if the other party refuses to negotiate in good faith, we will take your case to trial in pursuit of justice. Call at (843) 278-2222 for a free consultation today, and let’s discuss your whiplash injury.