Whiplash From Auto Accidents

When the muscles and ligaments that support the spine and head are over stretched or torn you have whiplash. Some say that it was first used back in 1928 when somebody’s head was suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal range of motion accelerated by the neck like the tip of a whip hence getting "whiplash." Others claim that whiplash evolved from neck problems that Navy fighter pilots developed after being ejected from their aircraft in WW II.

Medical professionals typically refer to whiplash using terms such as cervical sprains/strains or hyperextension injuries.

Wherever it came from, whiplash is something to take seriously, as it can be an injury leading to possible long-term discomfort or even disability. To make the self-diagnosis of "Oh, I’m ok, I just got a little whiplash from my car accident!" can be a major mistake when it comes to liability and your rights for justifiable compensation.

Injuries From Whiplash and Possible damages that could occur to your body include:

• Spinal cord
• Bulged disks
• Nerves and tissues in your neck
• Ruptures of ligaments in the neck
• Fractures of the neck bones
• Damaged muscles or ligaments
• Broken vertebrae can lead to paralysis
• Untreated whiplash injuries can develop into arthritis in later years, adding more pain and disability

Symptoms of Whiplash

If you have whiplash, you may experience the following symptoms immediately or weeks later:

• Reduced range of motion
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Pain or tingling in the shoulder, arms and hands
• Decreased ability to turn and bend
• Lower back pain
• Stiff neck/ mild shoulder pain that slowly progresses
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing and hoarseness of voice
• Irritability
• Difficulties with concentration and memory
• Buzzing in the ears
• Insomnia
• Depression and anxiety

Whiplash From Even Minor Car Accidents

1,000,000 people in the U.S. are susceptible to whiplash injuries, which leads to disability in 10% of victims. A large majority of car accidents (approximately 40 to 45% of impacts) are rear end car accidents where the front of one vehicle is plowing into the rear of another. Vehicle speeds as low as 5 mph can cause serious injury to the neck. Even a slight car bump, where there is no damage to any vehicle, could result in enough whipping to your neck, that it may create whiplash symptoms. The force to your neck from any shifting, snapping, forward, backward, sideways motion can be up to five times greater than the force of the collision itself. When your vehicle gets hit, your head remains relatively stationary while your body is accelerated forward with the seat of the car. This inflicts tremendous force on the neck and as your neck is stretched beyond its normal limits, it then snaps back creating the whiplash effect. Sometimes whiplash may not even be initially detected, known as "invisible whiplash." 1 out of 7 whiplash victims suffer pain up to three years after their accident. This is why it is important to document the accident and be checked out by a doctor. If ever you are involved in any type of accident and you seem to be experiencing any symptoms of whiplash it is best to see a doctor as well as an attorney. A personal injury attorney can get you compensation for both medical bills and time lost at work.

Who Is More Prone To Whiplash In A Car Accident?

Why the driver is actually more prone to getting whiplash then the passenger? The passenger is more relaxed and tends to lean further back in their seats. The driver is leaning more towards the steering wheel and concentrating on the traffic around them. The people sitting in the back seats are the less likely to receive any type of neck injury during an accident. The most frequently reported injuries in insurance claims are from neck related injuries. Whiplash neck injuries are just like any other injuries and need immediate medical attention.

Get Legal Help

At the Law offices of Steve L.Weiner & Associates we specialize in whiplash injuries from car accidents. We will ensure accurate assessment of your injuries and that you receive the best medical care available, with no out-of-pocket expenses. We can help you get the compensation you deserve for your car accident injury. No matter how trivial the injury appears initially, hidden health issues can arise later and can be extremely painful and expensive. Delaying consultation may prevent you from recovering all the damages owed to you, so please call us today at 1-800-704-0151 or visit our website www.weinerlawoffice.com for more whiplash information.