Whiplash injury is a neck injury that happens when you overextend the neck muscle beyond the neck’s natural range of motion. The most common type of car accident that causes a whiplash injury is a rear-end collision.
The reason is that the impact of someone hitting the rear end of your vehicle pushes your body forward. But the seatbelt holds you in place, so only your head moves back and forth.
If you have experienced whiplash due to a car accident you may be entitled to compensation. If the accident is caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay for any medical expenses.
You can learn more by contacting a professional and experienced personal injury lawyer and describing the accident and the extent of your injuries.
But, how do you know if you have whiplash?
Common Whiplash Symptoms
Let’s look at some symptoms of whiplash. If you recognize any of these symptoms, it is wise to see a doctor as soon as possible since neck injuries are severe and can be debilitating if not taken care of properly.
Neck Pain and Stiffness
If you feel uncomfortable pain in your neck or if it feels stiff and you have a reduced range of motion, this is a sign of whiplash. If you have a regular range of motion, but experience pain any time you try to move your neck, then that is another sign of whiplash.
Headaches
If you start to feel headaches more often, especially starting from the base of the neck, this can signify a whiplash injury. Usually, the headaches will be long and disturbing and can be as bad as not concentrating due to the pain. If you get prolonged headaches after a car accident, see a doctor.
Pain in Shoulder, Upper Back, and Arms
Your neck is connected to your spine, and your spine is connected to your central nervous system. So, if you have an injury in your neck, it can cause pain in other areas of your body. If you experience symptoms of pain in your shoulder, upper back, or arms, be sure to talk to a doctor as soon as you can because it may be a symptom of whiplash.
Fatigue
If you are constantly tired and cannot get through the day doing simple tasks, this could be a sign of whiplash. After a car accident, your body has been through a lot of trauma; therefore, rest is essential, but if you feel more tired than usual, something may be off. Visit your primary care physician so they can assess why you are tired.
Dizziness
If you start getting dizzy spells out of nowhere, this can be a warning sign that something bigger is going on inside your body. No one should ever feel dizzy for no reason, so if you start feeling dizzy and disoriented, be sure to see your physician.
Less Common Whiplash Symptoms
A few other symptoms may present themselves to people who are suffering from whiplash that are less common than the symptoms above but are still relevant.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision can be caused by extreme headaches and can be another symptom related to whiplash. If you are experiencing blurred vision, be sure not to operate any machinery and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Sleep Disturbances
If you usually sleep soundly with no problem but you start to have trouble sleeping after your car accident, this may be because of a whiplash injury. Lack of sleep can be harmful; therefore, you want to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Memory Problems
Having memory problems, especially if you are young, is not good and can affect your daily tasks and functions. If you start experiencing memory problems after a car accident, see your doctor to discover if it is caused by whiplash.
Whiplash is a serious injury that should not be ignored. Be sure to contact a doctor to take care of your injury and a lawyer to get fair compensation for your injuries.