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Signs of Whiplash

Every day, thousands of people across the country are involved in accidents. They are certainly common, but these incidents are not to be taken lightly. Many of them have serious consequences
At their worst, car accidents, can be the start of huge problems in somebody´s life, they can lead to:

  • Deaths
  • Injuries that leave you suffering from chronic pain
  • Life-long disabilities
  • Disfigurements
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Emotional trauma and other psychological effects

One of the most potentially impactful injuries suffered in car accidents is whiplash. Many people who suffer this injury have no inkling of just how much it is going to change their lives.
Whiplash can have a seriously negative effect on your ability to lead a normal life. Yet, this injury responds well to treatment and can heal completely. The earlier you spot the issue and get the right help the better your chances of making a full recovery are.
So, it pays to be able to recognize the early signs of a whiplash injury. It also enables you to consult with a personal injury attorney in Florida, so they can help you or your loved one to make a whiplash injury claim.

Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries

If you have any of the following kinds of accidents, it is worth your while looking out for the early signs of whiplash. These are the most common situations in which this kind of injury occurs:
Rear-end collisions
An impact from the back can launch you forwards at quite a speed. Even if you are wearing a seatbelt you can still experience whiplash. This is because the belt keeps your body from being thrown violently forwards, but not your head. It is still whipped backward and forwards at great speed. The fact that your head is so heavy, about 10Lbs, means that this sharp movement puts an incredible strain on your neck and back. In particular on the soft tissues in those areas.
Sports Accidents
Contact sports like football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and boxing can all lead to whiplash injuries. Again, this happens when the head is sharply whipped backward or forwards. Those who take part in sports like skateboarding, rollerblading, stunt cycling, motorcycling, bungee jumping, skydiving, snowboarding, and skiing have also been known to sustain this type of injury.
Slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common ways people end up injuring themselves. Often, whiplash occurs when the head bounces off the floor. Or when it is thrown backward as the body fall unexpectedly forwards.

Signs of Whiplash Injury

If you have any of the kinds of accidents mentioned above, look out for the following warning signs of whiplash:
Pain and/or stiffness in the neck
These are the most common symptoms. Understandably, after an accident, you are going to feel a little stiff. But if the stiffness and pain do not go away after a couple of days there is a good chance that you are suffering from whiplash. In that situation, seek medical attention immediately. This is especially important if the pain worsens when moving your neck or you notice a loss of flexibility.
Headaches
Often, people who are suffering from whiplash experience headaches that start with pain at the base of the skull.
Loss of focus, or difficulty concentrating
If you are having difficulty remembering things, this could be a sign that you have whiplash. So, finding yourself unable to concentrate as you did before your accident. In both cases, you should always speak to a doctor if you notice this happening to you after an accident or a knock on the head. Do so immediately you notice these symptoms.
Pain or tenderness in the shoulder area
When your head is suddenly thrown backward or forwards your shoulder muscles can be put under a lot of strain. So, you may notice pain or stiffness there too.
A loss of sensation
Some people also experience a loss of sensation in their neck, shoulders, or arms. Occasionally, their arms, hands, or fingers tingle, or they get pins and needles.
Other less obvious symptoms include:

  • Fatigue and tiredness
  • Dizziness or nausea
  • Blurred eyesight
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Sleep disruption which is usually due to pain or headaches

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor. It is never wise to assume that you know what is going on. Plus, having access to good medical records could help you to win any personal injury claim you may make, should it turn out to be whiplash.

Complications of Whiplash

Most patients recover from whiplash after a few weeks, without any long-term effects. Sadly, those that do not recover fully can end up suffering from lingering pain for months, possibly years.
Over time the pain may even worsen, which makes movement difficult and tightens the muscles. When that happens the ability to move freely decreases even more. The pain and stiffness may even spread and begin to affect the arms.
You will be more prone to developing these whiplash complications if:

  • The impact happened at a high-speed
  • You have suffered a whiplash injury before
  • You are elderly
  • You had existing neck or back issues before the accident

Don’t ignore whiplash injuries after an accident. Talk to experienced Florida attorney Thomas C. Grajek on how you can file a personal injury claim for whiplash injuries.

Consult with Florida Attorney Thomas C. Grajek About Whiplash Injuries

Thomas C. Grajek’s Florida law firm handles all kinds of personal injury cases including those that involve whiplash injuries. You can:
Reach him via phone
Use our online contact form that is provided here 

PRO TIP : 

“Whiplash symptoms sometimes have delayed manifestations, so always see a doctor if you feel pain in the neck, back, or shoulders a few days after a car accident.” 

FAQs on Signs of Whiplash 

Are there effective treatments for whiplash injuries?
There are effective treatments available for whiplash. But you will need to see a doctor to establish which approach is right for your case. The sooner you seek treatment the more likely it is that you will make a full recovery. However, it will take several weeks, sometimes months for you to be able to get back to normal. So, you may have to include loss of earnings in your personal injury claim.
How fast does a vehicle have to run for its passenger to suffer whiplash?
Your vehicle can be stationery and you can still suffer a whiplash injury. If a car runs into the back of you, even at a relatively slow speed, your head can still be sharply snapped back. Enough to traumatize the ligaments and soft tissues of the neck. Your head is very heavy, so if it is suddenly jolted back and fore it creates a lot of pressure.
Can helmets help against whiplash?
Helmets alone cannot help against whiplash. They are however effective at preventing head injuries. In motorsport, helmets can play a role in preventing whiplash injuries. Tethers that are attached to the helmet and a HANS device or the backrest stop the head from being snapped forwards during high-speed crashes. They have proven to be effective but have not been adapted for use on the road.

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