“Whiplash” is a type of neck injury that frequently occurs when vehicles collide. The force of the impact can cause a driver or passenger’s head to jerk forward and backward suddenly, much like the cracking of a whip. Have you been injured in a car accident? If so, the professional attorneys at Demas Law Group, P.C. are ready to help you.
While whiplash is a relatively invisible injury, even mild cases can be debilitating. In severe cases, victims might endure chronic pain for months or years after the crash. Whiplash can cause coup-contrecoup brain injuries that result in a lifetime of impairment. Contact us for a free consultation.
What Is a Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash injuries occur when the head is violently forced backward and forward. This sudden motion can injure the bones in the spine, the discs that sit between the bones, as well as the muscles, nerves, and ligaments in the neck.
Coup-contrecoup brain injuries can result from whiplash when the jerking motion of the neck and head causes the brain to move within the skull, slamming into one side of the skull’s inner surface before rebounding and hitting the opposite side.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Pain and stiffness in the neck
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches that typically begin at the base of the skull
- Tenderness and pain in the shoulders, upper back, and arms
- Tingling sensation and numbness in the arms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
What Causes Whiplash?
Getting rear-ended by another car is the most common cause of whiplash. People also suffer whiplash in slips, trips, and falls, sports accidents, and more.
According to the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, nearly 3 million people suffer whiplash injuries each year. Of those, 1.5 million will endure chronic pain, and 300,000 will become disabled.
How to Claim Compensation for a Whiplash Injury
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident and your injuries, you could be eligible to seek fair compensation from them. Most injury claims are resolved through settlements from the at-fault party’s insurer, but some injury claims require filing a personal injury lawsuit and seeking damages in court.
To seek compensation for your whiplash injury, contact an experienced car accident lawyer for help. Your lawyer will explain your rights and legal options, investigate the crash, build a strong injury claim, and negotiate with the other party’s insurer for a settlement. If no settlement can be reached, your lawyer might advise filing a lawsuit and seeking damages in court.
The statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing personal injury lawsuits in California is two years after the date of your injury. While two years might seem like a long time, it is relatively short when it comes to injury cases. Be sure to contact a lawyer right away to discuss your case and how they can help.
How Long Do the Symptoms of Whiplash Last?
Many people experience symptoms of whiplash right after an injury, but for some, the symptoms don’t show until days, weeks, or months later. Even if you don’t think you have whiplash or your symptoms are mild at first, you should still see a doctor and undergo a proper medical examination. Untreated whiplash can lead to chronic medical issues.
“Late whiplash” can present itself months after a car accident. These delayed whiplash symptoms can include:
- Pain and stiffness in the upper and lower back
- Ringing in your ears
- Dizziness and blurred vision
- Severe headaches
- Jaw pain
- Constant fatigue
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Memory and concentration problems
- Depression
If delayed whiplash is left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain, as well as degenerative disc disease.
Treatment for Whiplash
Even if your symptoms seem mild initially, it is important to seek out medical treatment to prevent long-term damage due to whiplash. The purpose of treatment is to get your symptoms under control and to rehabilitate your neck’s normal range of motion.
The type of treatment your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Some of the typical treatments include:
Pain Management
- Applying heat pads and ice packs
- Over-the-counter pain medications including Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
- Prescriptions painkillers for severe pain
- Lidocaine (numbing agent) injections
- Muscle relaxants
- Bedrest
Exercise and Physical Therapy
- Simple at-home exercises as instructed by your doctor can help you regain a normal range of motion in your neck.
- Physical therapy sessions, supervised by a physical therapist, can include exercises, movement stretches, and even transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, where a therapist uses a mild electric current on the injured area to relieve pain.
Physical therapy can be costly, especially if you have delayed whiplash or chronic symptoms, resulting in many sessions. That’s another reason why it’s so important to make sure you get legal help to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.
Steps to Take for a Whiplash Injury
The first and most crucial step is to be examined by a medical professional in the aftermath of an accident, even if you don’t have immediate symptoms of whiplash or your symptoms aren’t severe to start. A prompt medical diagnosis can help ensure that your injury is treated right away and an official medical record is created.
Next, you’ll want to consult with an attorney to get the claims process started. An attorney can help you independently investigate your claim, evaluate your losses, and determine your best legal options.
What Damages Can You Recover for a Whiplash Injury in California?
If you suffered whiplash in a crash in California, you could be eligible to seek compensation for:
- Cost of medical treatment (current and future)
- Cost of rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repairs
Contact an Experienced Sacramento Whiplash Car Accident Attorney
Depending on the severity of the injury, whiplash can cause chronic, long-term health issues and can severely impact your life. The Sacramento car accident lawyers at the Demas Law Group have experience helping people who’ve suffered whiplash seek the justice they deserve.
For a free consultation, call us, fill out a contact form, or chat with us live.
