Whiplash Injuries After a Car Accident

Whiplash after a car accident can be very serious. However, many people downplay this type of injury and even avoid or delay getting medical treatment for it. When this happens, their whiplash becomes worse, causing excruciating pain in the neck, back, head, and shoulders.

Unfortunately, once that happens, and they decide to finally seek medical attention, they have likely already developed permanent complications or even caused their condition to become a lot more severe than it originally was. To avoid this type of scenario, it is crucial to know and understand what whiplash injuries are after a car accident, how seriously they should be taken, what symptoms to look for, how they are treated, and more.

What are whiplash injuries?

Whiplash is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Therefore, if you are involved in a car accident that causes your neck to bend suddenly and forcefully in a forward and backward motion, the nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and discs within and around your neck may become stretched, pulled, and sprained, which can cause intense discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and even your head.

Rear-end accidents are the most common type of car accident that often leads to whiplash injuries. However, it is important to know that you can suffer from whiplash after any type of accident, including T-bone accidents, sideswipe accidents, fender-bender accidents, head-on collisions, and more.

How common are whiplash injuries after a car accident?

Cleveland Clinic explains that whiplash affects millions of people around the world each year, and Rush University Medical Center states that over two million Americans suffer from whiplash each year. Therefore, whiplash injuries seem to be very common after car accidents. To make matters worse, whiplash is an injury that can occur even in minor or low-speed accidents. This means that even if you are driving 10 mph in a parking lot and another vehicle strikes your car, you may make a full, sudden stop in a short period, causing your neck to move rapidly back and forth and develop whiplash.

What are the symptoms of a whiplash injury after a Charlotte car accident?

Many people fail to notice any symptoms of whiplash immediately after a car accident because they are typically shaken up, overwhelmed, upset, and experiencing an adrenaline rush. However, within a few hours, days, or even weeks, they may begin to notice the following symptoms:

• Neck stiffness
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or arms
• Pain in the hands or arms
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Inability to move or turn your head
• Headaches
• Soreness or tenderness in the back, arms, or shoulders
• Irritability or mood changes
• Muscle weakness or spasms

How is whiplash treated?

If you feel even the slightest pain, soreness, or numbness in your neck, shoulders, or back, there is a strong possibility that you have whiplash. If you suspect that you have whiplash after a car accident, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible to find out how severe your condition is, what type of treatment you may need, and how long your recovery might take. Here are some of the treatment options your doctor may suggest:

• Applying ice around the clock for at least the first 24 hours
• Taking muscle relaxers
• Taking ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Attending physical therapy appointments
• Wearing a neck brace or collar
• Seeing a chiropractor or getting massages for neck manipulation
• Participating in certain exercises to keep your neck moving and bending
• Getting shots in the neck to help with pain

There is no cure for whiplash. Therefore, many people who are diagnosed with this type of injury experience symptoms for the rest of their lives. However, with the help of a licensed healthcare provider, they can undergo and follow certain treatments to recover as much as possible.

Should I file a claim and seek compensation for my whiplash?

Yes, you should file a car accident claim and seek compensation for your whiplash. The reason why this is recommended is because whiplash can severely impact every aspect of your life. For example, you may experience chronic pain that causes you to be unable to get around, carry out your daily routine, go to work, and even engage in the activities you used to enjoy. In addition, you may develop depression, accumulate expensive medical and rehabilitation costs, and experience an overall diminished quality of life. Therefore, to ensure that you can cover your current and future costs, rebuild your life, and be made whole again, you should consider filing a claim and seeking compensation for the whiplash caused by the accident.

Can I sue for compensation even if my whiplash symptoms do not appear right away?

Yes, you can sue for compensation even if your whiplash symptoms do not appear right away. According to North Carolina Code § 1-52, you generally have three years from the accident date to sue for compensation. If you find out that you have whiplash within these three years, you can still file a claim and seek compensation. However, if an injury is not immediately apparent, which is common with whiplash, you can file a claim within three years from the date the injury became apparent or was discovered.

You will need proof that you went to the emergency room or doctor once your symptoms emerged and that the doctor diagnosed you with whiplash. Since this can cause complications with your case, you should seek help from a Charlotte car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. They will help you gather evidence that shows that it took some time for your symptoms to be known, discovered, or diagnosed and that there is a direct link between your whiplash injuries and the car accident.

If you have recently suffered whiplash from a car accident, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a Charlotte car accident attorney from Price, Petho & Associates as soon as possible. Our team knows and understands how painful and debilitating whiplash injuries can be. Therefore, we urge you to focus on healing and recovering, while we handle the ins and outs of the legal process for you. We will investigate your accident, help you collect strong and convincing evidence, inform you of your legal rights, and stand up and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation in Charlotte, Rutherfordton, and Rockingham today.