Whiplash is a very common injury in auto accidents. Unfortunately, whiplash isn’t always felt immediately following an accident. In fact, the pain and effects might not even show up for days. Here are some things that your car accident lawyer Willingboro professional wants you to know about whiplash in case you or someone you know has been involved in a collision that’s resulted in this type of injury.
The Basics: What is Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that typically takes place when a vehicle is rear ended. The jerking motion of the vehicle causes the people in the car to wrench their necks. This results in an extreme extension of the neck muscles that subsequently makes it difficult or even impossible to move your head from side to side without excruciating pain. However, in recent years, the term “whiplash” has received a negative connotation. Many people associate this term with exaggerated pain and suffering following some type of accident. Avoid using this term when discussing your case so you don’t sound like you’re trying to make your injuries sound more severe than what they really are.
The Main Causes of Whiplash
The most common cause of whiplash is getting hit from behind when you are in a vehicle. But it can happen other ways as well. Whiplash can occur from other types of vehicle accidents besides just the ones that involve a rear end impact. Many cases of whiplash are even caused in everyday contact sports, including hockey, football and sometimes soccer. Skiing accidents can also cause whiplash as can slip and fall incidences. This injury doesn’t necessarily have to be caused by a high speed impact. Many low speed impacts can result in whiplash as well. Don’t think that just because the collision was at a low speed that you are not going to experience any type of injury. Get medical attention right away to see if any internal damage has been done and seek the legal advice of a car accident lawyer Willingboro professional to see what your options are for potential compensation.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Regardless of the incident that caused your whiplash, you will typically experience the same symptoms. Some of these symptoms include headache, dizziness, neck pain, stiffness of the muscles in your neck, pain in your shoulders, arms or back, tingling in your arms and even trouble concentrating, among other symptoms. In many cases, these symptoms won’t even show up for a couple of days. If you have been involved in an accident that caused an extreme jerking motion in your neck muscles, be diligent about noticing if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. If you are, seek professional medical treatment right away.
