Any type of injury to the neck or upper back area can lead to significant pain and suffering for a victim. One of the main types of injuries that can occur in this area of the body during a car wreck is whiplash. There are various ways that whiplash injuries can occur. Many people do not realize that this type of injury can have long-lasting consequences for a victim. Whiplash is not something that a person can ignore and hope that it gets better. Here, we will discuss how whiplash occurs as well as why it is so important to receive prompt medical care after sustaining this type of injury.
Whiplash Injuries Can Have a Lasting Impact
Most people are familiar with the term whiplash. In general, people associate this injury with vehicle collisions, but whiplash can occur in a variety of ways. This can include sports injuries, workplace accidents, boating accidents, and more.
Whiplash is caused by the sudden deceleration of the body as a result of a collision or some type of impact. This sudden deceleration can cause the upper body and head to rapidly move forward and backward, leading to injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the upper back, shoulders, and neck.
One thing that many people do not realize is that it is not uncommon for the signs and symptoms of whiplash to not appear right away. Often, a person’s adrenaline masks the signs and symptoms of whiplash. Most of our clients have reported that in the days following a wreck, they experience more intense pain than immediately following the event.
In some cases, whiplash injury victims are prescribed mild pain relievers and told to rest and resist strenuous activity for a few weeks. However, severe cases of whiplash can require more extensive medical care. This can include stronger prescription-strength pain relievers or muscle relaxers as well as various types of physical therapy and rehabilitation to help the victim make up recovery.
Unfortunately, there are times when whiplash victims suffer from long-term effects. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, upper back, or lower back
- Severe headaches or migraines
- Numbness, weakness, or pain in the arms and legs
- Difficulty sleeping and fatigue
- Difficulty with memory or focus
- Reduced range of motion
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Irritability and/or anxiety
What Type of Compensation is Available for Whiplash?
Whiplash victims may be able to recover various types of compensation if their injuries were caused by the careless or negligent actions of another. For example, if the whiplash injury was sustained in an collision caused by a negligent driver. In that case, the victim may be able to recover compensation from the negligent party’s insurance carrier, their own underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, or through other avenues that are available.
Some of the types of compensation available to whiplash injury victims include the following:
- Payment of any medical bills (past, present, future) related to the whiplash
- Lost income if the victim cannot work while recovering
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Pain and suffering damages
The total amount of compensation available in these cases will vary depending on the factors related to each particular case. It is incredibly important to work with a skilled car wreck attorney who can conduct a complete investigation into the incident and work with trusted medical experts to help calculate a victim’s total losses. It is crucial for injury victims to understand that they should not settle their cases until they have reached maximum medical improvement. If an injury victim settles a whiplash claim too quickly, they will not be able to go back later to obtain more compensation should their injuries become worse.
SERIOUS INJURIES – REQUIRE SERIOUS ATTORNEYS
Our firm understands the repercussions of a serious accident. If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you should not have to fight the uphill battle for compensation on your own. When you hire Ferrell & Brown, you are hiring a devoted, caring, and aggressive team who will tenaciously fight for you. If you or someone you know was injured in a wreck and wishes to schedule a consultation, please do not hesitate to contact Ferrell & Brown.
