What Is Whiplash in a Car Accident?

Car accidents are very painful and can cause injuries or medical conditions. A person can have injuries in various areas such as on the head, neck, or shoulder area among others. His whole life changed because of multiple injuries. Their bodies do not understand the speed of car accidents and there is no way they can survive them.

Car accident victims always get injured, whether the damage is significant or not. Whiplash in a car accident is a common injury. The only way to discover which type of injuries you have undergone in the case of a car accident is by going for medical attention.

Failure to treat injury early will cause an extension of complications that lead to a greater extent of damage. For instance, you should check yourself even after having a light car accident with no apparent signs of injuries. Some of the injuries are not evident immediately, but they become very fatal after a while. This page contains detailed information for those who have undergone a whiplash injury.

What is Whiplash?  

 The whiplash is a kind of injury that is applied to the neck area. Whiplash occurs as a result of moving a person’s head forward and backward when struck on the head by a solid thing. The intense jerk is suffered by the neck and as a result, the muscles and ligaments stretch more than normal and this results to serious injuries. Whiplash symptoms can occur much later even following an accident. However, within a few days, the victim has mild to severe symptoms.

Whiplash is a light medical condition, though it can cause severe harm to one’s body if not treated. To be effective then a treatment must be painful or at least uncomfortable up to the duration when it is gotten over with.

Symptoms of Whiplash After Car Accident  

The symptoms of whiplash totally depend on the severity of the car accident. Whiplash can appear in both minor and major accidents. The symptoms depend on how a person is suffering after a car accident. If you have experienced a car accident, it is important to see the symptoms of whiplash. If you experience any of them, you must consult your doctor immediately. Below are the common symptoms of whiplash that most victims experience after a car crash. 

• Neck Stiffness 
• Neck pain  
• Dizziness  
• Tingling sensation 
• Numbness in the arms  
• Tenderness in the shoulder, back, or arms  
• Limited range of motion 
• Pain while moving neck  
• Headaches 
• Fatigue  
• Ringing in ears 
• Blurry vision 
• Less concentration 
• Depression  
• Sleep disturbance  

The health condition of every car accident victim is different. Symptoms vary from person to person. But if you have experienced two or three symptoms, it is important to get yourself checked by a physician. Medical treatment will not only help you know the damage but also help you file a case for compensation. An accident lawyer in Houston TX will organize your medical bills and fight for your compensation for your suffering.  

How Long Does Whiplash Last After a Car Accident?  

The healing time after a car accident greatly depends on the severity of the accident and the previous health of the victim. If you get a minor to mild whiplash injury, it may need some days or weeks to be fixed. But if the whiplash is severe, it needs a long time to heal. Everyone has their own healing process rate, and everyone experiences recovery differently.  

In whiplash injury, the muscles and tendons lose their strength, which results in lasting effects. To reduce the painful and disturbing symptoms, you must take the recommended treatment to strengthen your muscles. After surgery, the body becomes flexible like before, but it needs sufficient time to recover. 

The main symptom of whiplash injury is pain that becomes severe if it is left unaddressed.  Give yourself enough time to recover from it and strictly follow the instructions. People who put efforts into their recovery time can even heal faster. Thus, if you want to recover in sufficient time, focus on your recovery, take proper treatments, medications, and hire a lawyer to proceed with your case.  

How To Treat Whiplash After Your Car Accident?  

The first thing to do after experiencing an injury is to seek medical treatment immediately. To treat whiplash, you need the assistance of a doctor who can help you suggest the best solution for you. Most people avoid treatment even after a car accident. But to treat your car accident injuries, you need proper treatment. Below are the procedures used for whiplash injuries.  

Medical Treatment  

After a car accident, it is essential for you to get complete treatment for recovery. Your doctor will provide immediate medications like pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and other nutrients that will help you deal with the emergency situation.  

Recovery Treatments  

In severe injuries, only medication is not enough for recovery. A person needs some therapies and surgery to get it fixed, includes: 

• Physical Therapy 
• Injections to heal tissues 
• Massage Therapy 
• Neck Brace 
• Chiropractic Treatments 

In severe car accidents, your doctor will suggest wearing a collar to keep your neck comfortable for a few days. Don’t use it for a long time; using it for a few days is beneficial. According to much research, it is believed that using it for a long time can affect the natural healing process.  

Alternative Aftercare  

The doctor may recommend you some alternative remedies to treat your pain at home like:  

• Massage 
• Chiropractic care 
• Acupuncture  
• Electrical nerve stimulation  

What Happened When You Get Whiplash Injury After an Accident? 

There are two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, that are released when a person experiences a sudden force in a car accident. It helps to feel less pain after experiencing something painful. But these hormones are released for some time, and the person starts feeling more pain.  

After you experience a car accident, you start experiencing swelling in the injured area. Swelling happens when the body suffers from pressure. When injuries are left untreated, they become stiff and sore.  

However, some people experience soft tissue injury in delicate areas that need immediate medical attention. Otherwise, it becomes worse and needs a long time to heal. If you start experiencing pain and swelling, it is always better to seek treatment, whether the accident is severe or minor.  

What Will Doctors Do with Whiplash Injury?  

The treatment completely depends on the type of injury you get. Whiplash happens when a person experiences a sudden jerk in a car accident. In a car accident, a person has to stop them with full force so that the whole body suffers a sudden snapback. When you visit your doctor, he performs different tests like X-ray and WAD. Through medical examination, the doctor will evaluate which type of injuries you have and what is the cause behind it,  

Medical Tests for Whiplash Injury  

After taking the medical history and physical examinations, the doctor will perform some tests. Many whiplash injuries are seen through the following tests.  

• X-ray: Through X-ray, the doctor will take an image of internal tissues, organs, and bones.  
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Through magnets and computers, the doctor will take detailed images of the tissues that get injured during car accidents.  
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan: Through advanced equipment, the whole body is examined to see bones, muscles, and organs in detail.  

Self-care Tips for Whiplash Injury  

Every car accident is different; you need to take extra care to heal from injuries like whiplash injury. To guide you, below are the best practices that will help you speed up your recovery. 

• You can apply some ice on the injured areas after you experience a car accident. It will help in reducing swelling and pain.  
• Take painkillers to reduce the pain in your body.  
• Take a neck collar for some time to fix your neck position 
• After an accident, try to avoid holding weight or any physical work that needs extra potential.  

The points mentioned are basic recommendations you can follow after a car accident. But to fully recover, you still need a doctor who can suggest the best solution for you. Your doctor will suggest some gentle exercises to enhance your movement. Complete medical treatment will help you get compensation for your pain and suffering. At Mokaram Law Firm, there are accident lawyers who have dealt with accident injury cases and help their clients get fair compensation.  

Legal Steps You Should Take After Car Accident  

If you’re suffering from car accident injuries, you may get extensive medical bills that may affect a big part of your finances. If this is your case, the first thing you need is to file your case for compensation. You don’t need to pay the bills because of someone else’s carelessness. Below are the steps that you should follow to seek compensation.  

Gather Evidence 

During your recovery, make sure to collect evidence as much as you can. It will help you build a stronger case. Gather medical records, doctor recommendations, eyewitness statements, and other valuable proofs. The more evidence you have there will be the more chance you have of getting maximum compensation.  

Negotiate With the Liable Party  

To seek fair compensation, you need to negotiate with the liable party. Mostly, insurance companies try to deny or pay less to the victim. To negotiate with the insurance company, you should hire a lawyer who can negotiate on your behalf, and you can focus on your rapid recovery.  

Hire a Lawyer 

To seek compensation, it is beneficial for you to hire a lawyer. There are numerous cases that failed to get compensation without any representative. With the help of a lawyer, there will be less chance of making any mistake that can damage your case. With their knowledge and experience, they will try their best to protect your rights and provide the claim you deserve.  

Final Thoughts  

Whiplash is one of the common injuries that people experience in a car accident. If you’re suffering from whiplash, it is essential for you to focus on your recovery and leave the legal proceedings to lawyers. A lawyer on your behalf will do all the proceedings and help you seek what you deserve. To discuss your further queries, you can call us at (281) 609-9224