When Can a Car Accident Cause a Whiplash Injury?

 Posted on January 17, 2022 in Car Accidents

A motor vehicle collision can injure drivers and passengers in a variety of ways. Whether a person is involved in a relatively minor impact or a high-speed collision, their body will be subject to strong physical forces that can result in significant harm. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that car accident victims can suffer. By understanding the ways that these injuries may affect them in both the short term and long term, victims can make sure they will be able to receive compensation that fully addresses their damages.

Effects of Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head is suddenly forced backward, forward, or to the side. This may occur in a rear-end collision, and a sudden impact from behind may cause a person’s head to snap backward, and it may then snap forward after bouncing off their seat’s headrest. A T-bone or side-impact collision may cause a person’s head to snap sideways. This sudden motion can place a great deal of pressure on the vertebrae in the neck, potentially resulting in spinal cord injuries. The soft tissues in the neck and shoulders may also be damaged, and a person may experience pinched nerves affecting the neck, shoulders, arms, and upper body.

Immediately after suffering whiplash, a person may experience severe pain and stiffness in the neck, as well as headaches. These symptoms may last between a few days and a few weeks, and they can often be treated through pain medications and muscle relaxers, the application of ice or heat, or a foam collar to immobilize the neck while it heals.

In more serious cases, a person may experience long-lasting symptoms that can restrict their movements and impact their quality of life. In addition to chronic pain and loss of range of motion in the neck, a person may also experience dizziness, blurred vision, or ringing in the ears. Pinched or damaged nerves may result in numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, and hands, affecting a person’s ability to perform daily tasks at work or at home. Some people may also suffer from concentration problems, memory loss, and issues affecting their balance and coordination, as well as mental health issues such as irritability or depression.

Multiple forms of treatment may be needed to treat a serious whiplash injury. Emergency care and pain medications may address short-term symptoms. For long-term issues, physical therapy may be needed to restore a person’s range of motion, and steroid injections may reduce inflammation or relieve pressure on joints. Massage therapy or chiropractic treatment may be able to help relieve symptoms, and psychotherapy may be needed to address mental health concerns.

Contact Our Greenwich Whiplash Injury Lawyers

The effects of whiplash can be long-lasting, and the costs of treatment can add up quickly. If you have experienced this type of injury in a car accident, Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC can help you determine your best options for receiving financial compensation that will fully address the harm you have suffered. To arrange a complimentary consultation, contact our Metro New York car accident attorneys today at 203-661-6000.

Sources:

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/what-whiplash

https://www.healthline.com/health/whiplash

https://www.rush.edu/news/5-facts-about-whiplash