Whiplash is a common car accident injury. About 83% of people involved in car accidents suffer from whiplash, where your neck suddenly jerks back and forth. This motion can tear or stretch your neck’s muscles and tendons, and can cause a number of injuries.
The injuries can be apparent immediately, but there are circumstances where you might not recognize whiplash symptoms. After a car crash, you could be in significant shock that blocks you from feeling the symptoms and you might think that there isn’t anything wrong with you. But eventually the shock will wear off and your injuries could have worsened in that time.
If you or a loved one is suffering from whiplash after being injured in a car accident, you might be wondering how you’re going to recover, pay for medical bills, and how soon you’ll be able to go back to work. With the help of a Columbia, SC car accident lawyer, you’ll stand up for yourself and get the legal help you need so you can recover damages for your suffering. The lawyers at The Solomon Law Group are experienced and compassionate people and are ready to help.
Whiplash Affects More than Your Neck
While your neck might not be in pain, you can still have whiplash. Pain in your upper body can be related to whiplash injuries. You might feel pain in these areas:
- Head
- Back
- Shoulders
After a car accident, you have to seek medical attention immediately. You might not think you have an injury, but only a medical professional will be able to tell you for sure. Also, waiting to seek medical attention could make you injuries worse, and affect your compensation. When you go to the doctor, don’t leave out pain in these areas because you don’t think it’s relevant. Every symptom you feel after a car accident is relevant to your health and it’s imperative that you tell the doctor everything so you can get the best treatment and recover from these injuries as soon as possible.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms can be mild or severe, but they all need attention and treatment. Never ignore the pain or wait for it to get better on its own. You need to know how to properly care for these kinds of injuries. Some common whiplash symptoms include:
- Pain. You could feel general pain in your head, neck, or shoulders.
- Stiffness or Tightness. You might find that your neck feels stiff when you’re trying to turn your head or look over your shoulder.
- Issues with Motion. Because of the stiffness, you’re probably not going to be able to turn your head in a comfortable manner.
- Headaches. These could be signs of a traumatic brain injury or concussion, and need immediate medical attention. Some other common headache pains start at the base of the skull and move forward toward the forehead.
You need time and patience to recover from whiplash. Many people feel like they’re under pressure to return to work because they think their colleagues are judging them for not working. This leads them to go back to work too early, and make their injuries worse and their recovery period longer. It’s important to know that people understand that you need time to let yourself recover.
