Addressing whiplash, a common car accident injury

Whiplash injuries often result from car and automobile accidents, after the vehicle strikes or is struck by another car or large object. As a result of the collision, the head of the driver or passenger suddenly moves backward and then forward from the impact. This most often occurs in rear-end collisions and the movement of the head resembles the manner of how the tail of a whip moves, which is why the injury is called "whiplash." These can be painful, long-lasting injuries which may not be apparent from the outset and should be addressed appropriately and in a timely manner.

Understanding whiplash

Whiplash is a general term for describing damage to the tendons and ligaments in the neck as a result of the head snapping back and forth quickly. Tendons are fibrous tissue that connects muscles with bones. Ligaments bind bones together at joints in the body. The result of the stretching of the tendons and ligaments can result in pain in the upper body, generally the head, neck and upper-back area. Symptoms may occur immediately, but often they appear after a short delay, approximately 6 to 12 hours after the impact. Depending on the severity of the injury, symptoms may disappear entirely or potentially worsen over the following days. Medical treatment may be required, and it is important to address potential whiplash injuries earlier rather than later.

What to do if you suspect you may have suffered a whiplash injury

If you suspect that you may have suffered a whiplash injury, you should proceed to the hospital or to the office of a medical practitioner for observation as soon as possible. The severity of the injury will determine the nature of the treatment, which might include standard painkillers, anti-inflammatory, muscle-relaxing medications or - in the more extreme cases - spinal injections. While a neck-brace may be prescribed, medical practice generally encourages some degree of movement in the neck area, if feasible, to prevent the muscles from becoming stiff and leading to additional problems in the recovery process.

Specialized treatment may be recommended, such as the use of chiropractors, physical therapists or massage therapists to address specific muscle related issues, especially if the pain is linked to the spinal area. Time for treatment can vary from several weeks to months or longer. While the cost may be covered by insurance, if it is not, it may need to be recouped through a claim for compensation.

Addressing work and lifestyle complications

The full impact of whiplash on a person can extend beyond the physical pain and into their lifestyle. Office workers may have difficulty sitting upright for extended periods while working at a desk or on a computer. They may require special adaptive seating options and also take more work breaks. People working in jobs that require more physical exertion may need to take time off from work until they recover adequately from the injury. People with children, especially toddlers and youngsters, may need additional help with them and daily tasks that surround household duties.

Address issues for compensation earlier rather than later

It is generally more difficult to document and address whiplash related injuries and the repercussions earlier by anticipating the likely outcome. People often don't think about the future risks until they experience them. At a later stage, it is often too late to properly and fully address the extent of their injuries and address all the difficulties and complications they are experiencing. If you suspect a whiplash injury, you should speak to a doctor and consider obtaining a proper legal consultation with an injury lawyer, which ares often free and operate on a 'contingency' basis, where your lawyer is paid based on the recovery of monetary compensation for you.