Whiplash feels painful, particularly when moving your head or neck. It limits your range of motion and can cause stiffness, bruising, swelling, and inflammation. It can also feel like a tingling sensation or pinched nerve.
Whiplash often results from car accidents (especially rear-end collisions) and is a serious neck injury. However, if another driver caused your crash, they could bear liability for your injury and the resulting financial expenses and losses. A personal injury lawyer can help you accurately assess the damages you can recover.
How Dangerous Is Whiplash?
Many people write off whiplash as a relatively minor injury, but it can be more harmful than it initially appears. Your health care provider will explain how dangerous whiplash is. They will also explain the importance of a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Without prompt treatment, whiplash can worsen. It can also result in serious complications.
Whiplash Complications
Doctors use a thorough physical exam complete with imaging tests to diagnose whiplash. These tests can include x-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies, and CT (computed tomography) scans. According to the Mayo Clinic, the complications of untreated or complicated whiplash cases can include:
- Chronic, severe neck pain
- Increasingly limited range of motion
- Pain that radiates into your arms
Your medical provider will determine the extent and severity of your case by documenting and assessing your symptoms.
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What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Whiplash may go unnoticed when coupled with other car accident injuries. Whiplash symptoms can include one or more of the following:
- Neck pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Tingling sensation
Whiplash can also result in symptoms that do not directly affect your neck and shoulders. You should also report these whiplash symptoms to your health care team:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Memory issues
- Depression
You might also have trouble falling or staying asleep or difficulty focusing or concentrating.
What if I Do Not Notice Whiplash Symptoms Right Away?
Report any signs and symptoms of whiplash to your treating physician as soon as you notice them. Any delay once you recognize them can result in an injury that increases in severity.
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What Are the Leading Causes of Whiplash?
Whiplash happens when your neck forcibly snaps or jolts from side to side or back and forth. The physical motion that leads to whiplash is similar to a whipping movement. While many incidents can cause whiplash, one of the primary causes is a car crash.
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What Compensation Can I Recover for My Whiplash Injury?
The prescribed treatment in most whiplash cases involves rest, immobility, and pain management. Your doctor might also recommend physical and occupational therapy. With an insurance claim or lawsuit, you can recover the costs of:
- Emergency medical care
- Neck collars or braces
- Prescription medications
Your personal injury lawyer will obtain and review your medical records and bills. In addition, they will document the cause of your injury. Finally, they will use this information to calculate the costs of current, future, and ongoing treatment.
What Additional Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Accident?
Your medical bills are only the beginning of the damages you can recover. Because whiplash limits your range of motion, it could also keep you from working. If it does, you can recover your lost income from the at-fault driver. You can also receive:
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- Property damage
- Diminished property value
- Physical disability or impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
When a car accident lawyer represents you, they will carefully assess your potential compensation. They will also handle the settlement negotiation process and ensure your case resolves with the best possible outcome for you.
How Much Time Do I Have to Seek Compensation?
Where the accident occurred will determine your filing deadline. For example, Louisiana car accident victims have a one-year statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney will explain your state’s deadline and any circumstances that could affect your timeline.
If you miss the filing deadline, you could unintentionally relinquish your ability to pursue damages in court. Even if you manage to file it after the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case without hearing the evidence. Again, your car accident lawyer will prevent this costly consequence by filing your lawsuit within the allotted time.
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Contact Our Car Accident Team Today
Did you or someone you love suffer whiplash or other injuries in a rear-end collision or another car accident? The Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers team understands what whiplash feels like and will handle your case so you can concentrate on feeling better.
Contact our case review team today to find out how hard we fight to recover damages for you. We’re available 24/7 to schedule your free consultation.
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