Among the most common types of personal injuries from car accidents is whiplash. The speed of a vehicle’s movement never kills anyone, but the sudden stop does, and whiplash is the after-effect. While most people consider this to be more of the minor injuries out there, it can be super painful.
If you suffered an accident, chances are you experienced whiplash. For victims, knowing the signs of whiplash can push them to go to a medical professional. It can even give them the chance to go with a car accident lawyer and sue for damages.
An experienced Michigan attorney can help you get proper compensation. You need to know all the details about car accident whiplash first.
What is Whiplash?
So, what is whiplash? In the most basic sense, whiplash is the sudden, forceful movement of the head. If you’re in a moving vehicle, sudden stops can make your head bob forward and back. Sudden, rapid, and forceful movement of the head and neck can cause untoward injuries.
Once a whiplash happens, it injures crucial muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold your head. The neck is a combination of spinal disks, cartilage, and joints that let your head pivot. When you suffer a sudden movement or halt, these parts hyperextend and hyperflex and damage them.
What are the Causes of Whiplash?
The act of whiplash can come from different sources, from sports injuries to physical assault. Among the most common causes of whiplash, however, are car accidents. There are many accidental situations where a car crash can make your head snap into whiplash.
Rear-end collisions can cause a whiplash because of the sudden, powerful push from stationary.
Wheels tend to move more forward and back rather than side to side. When something hits you from the front and back, the vehicle will move more to the parallel direction. Since most vehicles have you facing forward, a sudden jerk from front or rear can result in whiplash.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
What are the signs and symptoms of a whiplash? Most effects of whiplash develop in a few hours to as much as days and weeks. These can vary, which includes:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Fatigue
- Lack of mobility on the head and neck
- Lower range of movement
- Tenderness on neck, head, and shoulders
- Tingling in the arms and hands
- Headaches
- Nausea
In some cases, some people can experience other symptoms that show up after a while. These can be:
- Tinnitus
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Eye strains
- Migraines
- Concentration issues
Long-term complications will grow after a while, which will exacerbate other symptoms. Range of motion can go lower and pain can spread on the upper body.
What Do I Do After an Accident and Suffer Whiplash?
Most whiplash can recover within a few days to a few weeks. Right after a car accident, it’s best to seek medical treatment to have doctors give you a check. Going for medical treatment after a car crash is a crucial step to prevent worse complications.
An experienced personal injury attorney will also advise you to seek immediate medical attention. Once you seek any claims for compensation, the strongest evidence that protects your case is medical attention. If possible, seek the help of a specialist and follow the recommended treatment plan.
Not seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a vehicle accident can work against you. If you have insurance, you will have a hard time requesting for compensation if you delay treatment. The insurance company will claim that your injury is not serious enough to warrant prompt action from your side.
Follow all the instructions that your doctor gives you, especially home care. Most doctors will also ask you to undergo physical therapy and try different exercises. Some of the more severe cases would need extensive surgery and recovery.
What is the Value of Compensation for Whiplash?
When claiming for a case of whiplash, the value of the compensation and damage will vary. As the car accident will have a variety of outcomes, the compensation will change on the severity of the injury. Having an experienced car accident attorney can help.
Most cases for car accidents will account for different damages. Compensations will consider:
- Amount of property damage
- Physical injury
- Initial medical bills
- Long-term medical care
- Therapy and potential loss of income
- Pain and suffering
Most will also consider the level of liability of the accountable driver for the situation.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney for Whiplash Claims
Some whiplash injuries can recover after a few weeks. Some of them will take a while and even need surgery. Whatever injuries you get, being a victim can be a problem for you.
You don’t have to take on medical expenses and loss of income from your pocket. Find an experienced car accident lawyer and let them file a claim on your behalf. Your personal injury attorney from The Clark Law Office will make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
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