Many people associate whiplash with rear-end car crashes. However, whiplash can result from any type of traffic accident, including head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, and rollover crashes. While whiplash is a common injury in rear-end car accidents, any traffic accident has the potential for causing whiplash.
Whiplash is not a “minor” injury, even though many insurance companies treat whiplash claims as exaggerated injury claims or minor injuries. If you are suffering from a neck injury after a car accident, it is best to see a doctor and speak with a New Orleans car accident attorney as soon as possible. You need to take steps to protect your health and your legal right to fair compensation for your injury and damages.
What Causes Whiplash in a Car Accident?
Whiplash occurs when the tendons and the ligaments of the neck are strained because they are overstretched. The sudden movement of the neck forward and then backward causes the “whipping” motion that damages the soft tissues of the neck. Whiplash could also occur from a violent sideways motion of the neck.
In a car crash, the seat belt restrains a person’s torso during the impact. However, a person’s head can be thrown or “whipped” about violently. Even a low-speed collision can cause enough of an impact to cause whiplash.
How is Whiplash Treated?
In many cases, whiplash heals within a few days or weeks with home remedies, such as pain relievers, rest, and hot/cold compresses. However, some cases of whiplash require more intensive treatment. A person may need prescription medications, muscle relaxants, injections, and physical therapy to treat whiplash. In some cases, a physician may recommend immobilizing the neck with a collar or brace.
Severe cases of whiplash can result in chronic pain, loss of range of motion, and other impairments. The consequences of whiplash can last for several months or indefinitely. In any case of whiplash, if an insurance provider denies a claim for whiplash or offers very little to settle a claim, it is a good idea to talk to a NOLA car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash symptoms could be mistaken for other injury symptoms or ignored as “minor aches and pains” following a car accident. However, if you experience any symptoms associated with whiplash, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible for an examination and diagnosis.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Pain in the neck and shoulders
- Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
- Headaches
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Tenderness or pain in the upper back, shoulders, or arms
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sensory problems, such as ringing in the ears or blurred vision
- Memory problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
An examination can also rule out broken bones or other injuries that could cause or worsen symptoms.
Contact a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
If you have been injured in a car crash, contact Attorney Fred Olinde or another one of the personal injury lawyers of The Olinde Firm to discuss your accident claim. Call our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in New Orleans.