Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. Many motorists will feel stiffness or pain in their necks following a wreck and hope that a couple aspirin will make it better. But odds are high you have suffered whiplash, which can be very serious. Our Orlandocar accident lawyer looks closely at this injury and explains why you’ll need compensation to fully recover.
Whiplash Basics
Whiplash is an injury which occurs when a vehicle stops suddenly, even at low speeds. A person’s head will snap forward, sometimes stretching the muscles in the neck, before rebounding back. This back-and-forth motion has given birth to the name “whiplash” because the head moves like a whip. Some people experience whiplash when a car is hit on the side and the head snaps side to side.
Whiplash injures the soft tissues in the neck—muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Many people suffer from pain in their shoulders and upper back when nerves become compressed.
In extreme cases, the whip motion is so forceful that bones in the neck can crack. But most whiplash victims don’t suffer a fracture.
Whiplash Severity
Some whiplash is mild, causing only temporary discomfort. But many motorists suffer debilitating pain, which makes it impossible to move their heads. They might also suffer from intense headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. It can be difficult to sleep at night due to the pain.
Whiplash is one of those injuries that might take a few days to fully manifest. What starts out as an ache will quickly become extreme pain. Be sure to visit a doctor whenever you feel pain following a car accident.
Whiplash Recovery
Many victims need to rest as they wait for soft tissue to heal. Surgery is rare but might be required for severe cases. Fortunately, medications can help with symptoms like pain, sleeplessness, or dizziness.
A key part of recovery is slowly reintroducing movement to the neck. Formerly, doctors would put a foam brace on someone’s neck to completely immobilize the head. Today, however, they aim to get blood flowing and gently increase the range of motion. Doing so can increase recovery times.
The Cost of Whiplash
Whiplash is very disruptive. Many accident victims are in so much pain they can’t work or even leave the house. Many of our clients lose thousands of dollars as they struggle with their rehab.
The medical care itself can be expensive, especially if you need months of rehabilitation or had surgery. The cost of medical care only increases year over year. Unsurprisingly, many people find that their $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits cannot cover the full loss of income and medical expenses. It certainly doesn’t compensate them for the pain and suffering they endure. Instead, they need to bring a personal injury claim against the driver who struck them.
Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
The Benenati Law Firm is dedicated to helping car accident victims get the compensation they need after a wreck. To learn more, call us today or send us anonline message. Our consultations are free.