Whiplash Injuries from Car Accidents: Symptoms and Seeking Treatment
Any car accident can result in injuries. Even seemingly minor crashes create an impact that can jolt the body. Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. It is a painful neck injury that limits movement and flexibility. Whiplash can usually be treated in a few weeks, but only if people seek medical care.
Car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau, who serve Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, understand the physical, emotional, and financial damages associated with whiplash. Following a Palm Coast car accident it’s vital to understand whiplash injuries, their symptoms, and how to seek treatment. Prompt care is the best way to avoid long-term discomfort and complications related to whiplash.
What Causes Whiplash?
Whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury. The injury can occur when the head is forcibly thrown forward and backward. The whip-like motion can sprain or strain the neck muscles, causing pain and several other symptoms. Any accident or injury that throws the head and neck in a back-and-forth motion can cause whiplash, but the condition is especially common after a car accident. Rear-end car accidents are one of the most frequent causes of whiplash.
Recognizing Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash usually does not result in immediate symptoms, but there should be noticeable signs of strain within a day or two of the injury. Recognizing whiplash symptoms is essential to seeking treatment and minimizing the risk of long-term damage and pain. The most common whiplash symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness in the neck, shoulders, upper back, or arms
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Stiff neck
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Whiplash Treatment
Car accident victims experiencing any of the abovementioned whiplash symptoms should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. With a prompt and accurate diagnosis, injury victims can start a treatment plan to alleviate pain and other whiplash symptoms. Most often, whiplash treatment involves several different techniques, which may include:
- The use of pain medication and muscle relaxants
- The use of hot and cold compresses
- The use of a soft foam collar to stabilize the neck
- Exercises and physical therapy
- Massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic care
Covering the Cost of Whiplash Treatment
Whiplash treatment can be costly. Many injury victims require weeks or more of medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. When whiplash results from a car accident, the person or party responsible for the collision should be held liable for all medical expenses related to crash injuries.
Lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau in the Palm Coast-area assist their clients in establishing accident liability and pursuing compensation for collision losses. Each situation is unique, but injury victims may be awarded damages to cover losses associated with medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Chanfrau & Chanfrau
If you have suffered whiplash or other personal injuries after a car accident, lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can assist you in pursuing compensation for injury damages. To schedule a case review with our legal team, contact our practice online or call (386) 258-7313.