According to the National Safety Council, in 2019, nearly 4.4 million people involved in car accidents suffered injuries that required medical attention. One of the most common injuries sustained in a traffic collision is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the neck gets jolted back and forth suddenly, causing the tendons and ligaments to strain.
Typically, whiplash happens in rear-end collisions, but any sudden jolt of the neck can cause this injury, even in seemingly minor accidents.
Because adrenaline is released during a traumatic event, such as an auto accident, you might not realize you have been injured because you don't feel pain right away. This is why, if you've been in a car crash, it's important to see a doctor immediately to have your injuries evaluated. Seeking medical attention and knowing what conditions you suffered is essential when bringing your accident claim against the at-fault driver.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Usually, people involved in accidents won't start experiencing symptoms of whiplash until about 24 hours after the incident. However, that's just the average amount of time; you might notice a problem soon after the crash or a couple of days later.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Blurred vision
How Is Whiplash Diagnosed and Treated?
If you have any symptoms of whiplash following your accident (or even if you don't have symptoms yet), it's crucial to see a doctor. They may ask various questions about your pain or how you were injured. Additionally, they may order X-rays, CT scans, or other tests to evaluate the damage.
To treat your condition, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter medicines or prescription painkillers. You may also have to participate in physical therapy treatments.
Can I Seek Compensation for Whiplash?
Suffering whiplash in a car accident can cause both physical and psychological pain. You may be unable to move your neck or shoulders, decreasing your quality of life. Also, because of the injury, you may have to miss work.
In addition to your health being affected, your finances can be impacted because of your whiplash injury. You might not only have unexpected medical bills to pay, but you may also lose wages if you can't go to work.
Therefore, it's vital to hold the person responsible for your accident financially accountable. You can do this by filing a claim with their insurance. It's best to take such action with the help of a skilled attorney, as they can assess your situation to seek just compensation on your behalf.
Retaining legal services as soon as possible after your accident is also crucial because the other person's insurance company might try to quickly offer a settlement to pay out as little as possible. A lawyer can help you determine whether or not the offer is fair and covers all the damages you sustained because of the crash.
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else in Norman, OK, contact the Law Offices of Keith J. Nedwick, P.C. at (866) 590-8173 today. We'll thoroughly review your case and discuss your legal options.