Drew is driving home from work one day and gets into a minor accident. He feels fine, so after exchanging information with the other driver, he continues home. But the next morning, his neck is sore, and he finds it hard to turn his head.
The symptoms above are early signs of whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. Nearly 25% of all people injured in car accidents experience whiplash.
This article explains what whiplash is, how it happens, and some of its common symptoms. It also discusses your legal rights after a car crash injury and how a Birmingham accident attorney can help.
What is Whiplash? What Causes It?
Whiplash, also known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome, is an injury that affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck.
Whiplash is caused when the neck experiences rapid, powerful back-and-forth or side-to-side motion. These motions cause the muscles and ligaments in the neck to stretch beyond their normal range. In your high school science classes, you probably learned that an object in motion wants to stay in motion. In a car accident, when cars are moving, so are the people in them. When the car suddenly stops, your body keeps moving in the direction you were headed, but the abrupt braking or impact throws your body in the opposite direction. The opposing forces make your neck snap, or crack, like the tail of a whip.
Whiplash is quite common. Typical symptoms of whiplash include the following:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Limited range of neck motion
- Muscle spasm
- Dizziness
- Headaches
Is Whiplash a Serious Injury?
It can be. In most cases, whiplash affects only the neck and lasts for a few days or weeks. But whiplash should not be ignored. It can be a very serious injury, especially if not treated early and properly. More serious whiplash cases can last for months or even cause permanent effects.
In extreme cases, whiplash can affect the nerves in the neck. Because these nerves control the arms or hands, numbness or tingling in these areas can occur. Other more serious complications from whiplash include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Spinal injuries
- Degenerative disc disease
- Jaw pain
In the most severe cases, if left untreated, whiplash can cause paralysis or death. While these outcomes are rare, they show the importance of seeking medical treatment for whiplash as soon as possible after a car accident.
How is Whiplash Treated?
Generally, doctors diagnose whiplash by examination. The doctor will evaluate your neck’s range of motion. They may also conduct tests to check for soreness, muscle spasms, and nerve or muscle damage.
After the doctor confirms that you have whiplash, you’ll be given a treatment plan. Most whiplash cases can be treated at home. Common at-home treatments include neck braces, over-the-counter pain medication, and stretching exercises. Your medical team may also tell you to apply cold or heat to the affected areas. In more serious cases, your doctor may give you prescription pain meds and order physical therapy, chiropractic visits, or massage. In the most serious cases, surgery may be required.
The Legal Rights of Whiplash Sufferers
If you experienced whiplash after a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. Damages are money awarded to an injured person to compensate them for their injuries. To get damages, you’ll need to prove that the other driver was negligent. To do this, you and your Alabama accident attorney will need to prove the following:
- The other driver had a responsibility to drive carefully
- The other driver did not live up to that responsibility
- You were injured in the accident
- Your injuries are directly related to the other driver’s failure to drive carefully
Once you prove negligence, you’ll be entitled to damages for whiplash and any other injuries caused by the accident. Typical damages in car accident cases cover your past and future medical bills and lost wages related to the accident. You may also be eligible for damages to compensate you for pain and suffering or any mental health issues (e.g., anxiety or depression) caused by the accident.
These legal rights don’t last forever, though. Every state has deadlines for filing personal injury claims called statutes of limitations. In Alabama, the statute of limitations for car accident cases is two years. However, waiting two years is not a good idea as witnesses may forget or evidence may be lost. To protect your rights, it’s best to see an Alabama personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
Do You Need Legal Representation for Whiplash or Other Car Accident Injuries?
Whiplash is common, but it can be a serious injury if not addressed promptly and properly. If you need help dealing with whiplash or other injuries caused by a car crash, contact Collins Law, LLC. Collins Law has been helping injured Alabamians for over 10 years. We’ll use our extensive experience to help you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about what we can do for you, call 205-588-1411 or use our website’s online scheduling tool to schedule a free consultation.
