Is Whiplash a Real Injury That I Can Receive Money for in a Car Accident Case?
Insurance companies aggressively fight whiplash cases because they believe they can win by arguing whiplash does not cause lasting injuries. However, whiplash can be severe causing extreme pain that can prevent you from being able to return to work.
If you have been injured in an accident and believe that you may have suffered whiplash, it is extremely important that you seek medical attention immediately and contact our office to protect your rights to receive compensation for your injury.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is caused by a rapid, forceful back and forth movement of the head causing injury to the muscles and ligaments in your neck. It is like cracking whip — your head is jerked forward and backward like the tip of a whip being thrown out and jerked back. In some cases, you may not experience any symptoms immediately following the accident but will begin to develop symptoms within a few hours or days after an accident.
Mild cases of whiplash are usually accompanied by stiffness, pain, and headaches that go away after a few weeks; however, some cases of whiplash can last a few months. More serious cases of whiplash can cause complications that persist indefinitely including but not limited to:
- Increased pain and chronic, debilitating headaches
- Pain and tenderness in the back, arms, and shoulders
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands
- Ringing in the ears
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
If you experience any symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of the whiplash, a physician may prescribe the following treatments:
- Over the counter pain medications to help ease mild to moderate whiplash pain.
- Applying ice or heat to your neck and shoulder at certain intervals throughout the day.
- Muscle relaxants to help control pain and allow you to sleep.
- Prescription pain medications for severe pain that requires long-term pain management.
- Physical therapy may be prescribed to help relax muscles and gain full range of movement without pain.
In whiplash cases where the symptoms persist or grow increasingly worse, a specialist may need to be consulted for further treatment.
Accidents That Can Cause Whiplash
One of the most common causes of whiplash are motor vehicle accidents, especially rear-end collisions. The sudden impact from being rear-ended in a car accident causes your head to forcefully jerk forward then back again. However, other types of accidents can cause whiplash including contact sports, falls, and physical assault. Any accident that causes the forceful back and forth movement can result in whiplash.
When Should You Call An Attorney For a Whiplash Injury?
As soon as possible! It is always in your best interest to contact a personal injury attorney after any serious accident to discuss your legal rights. The personal injury attorneys of Torem & Associates represent accident victims in Fresno, CA and throughout the Central California Valley.
Call our office at (888) 500-5000 to schedule a free case evaluation. We never charge for the initial consultation so you can get the legal advice you need to make an informed decision about your rights to compensation for whiplash.
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