Everyday motorists hop into their vehicles and travel at high rates of speed. Drivers are so used to traveling at speeds more than 60 mph that sometimes we forget about the inherent dangers of driving. Sure, vehicles offer their occupants some forms of protection from crashes like airbags and safety belts, but these measures are often not enough to fully protect an individual from injury or even death, should an accident occur. People are often surprised when injuries occur to an occupant of a vehicle after a crash when the vehicle itself sustained very little damage.
One injury that is quite common after a car accident is what is known commonly as “whiplash.” Whiplash is common in fact that it is estimated that a whiplash injury occurs every 16 seconds in the United States. While whiplash is a turn most people are familiar with, it is often a term that is poorly understood. First, not every neck injury is whiplash. Whiplash refers to a very specific type of injury to the neck that occurs after an intense, rapid force (like the sudden impact of automobile crash) causes the neck muscles and joints to jerk suddenly back and forth beyond their normal limits. Whiplash is also referred to by medical professionals as “neck strain.” Since whiplash is such a common injury after accidents, it is important to understand this often misunderstood condition.
What symptoms are common with whiplash?
Pain, tightness, and restriction of movement are common symptoms of whiplash. Some people who suffer from whiplash experience headaches at the base of the skull that radiates towards the forehead. Concussions can also happen concurrently with a neck strain.
Are the symptoms of whiplash felt immediately?
Not always. Sometimes the pain of whiplash can be felt immediately after the accident. In other cases, it could take hours or even days for the neck to begin to hurt. This delay in onset of pain is why people used to think that whiplash was being faked after an accident. However, it important to remember the pain of neck strain is not always felt at the time of an accident.
What should you do if you think you are suffering from whiplash?
If you begin to feel symptoms of whiplash after being involved in an accident, it is important to meet with your doctor. Your doctor will most likely want to take x-rays and run tests to confirm neck strain.
How long does it take to recover from whiplash?
The answer to this question is of course is, it depends. Recovery, of course, is dependent on several factors, including the individual and the severity of the injury. The more severe the injury, the longer it can take to make a full recovery. The good news, however, is that whiplash is a treatable injury. Your doctor or chiropractor may recommend various treatment methods including, but not limited to: ice, painkillers, the use of a neck brace, moist heat, ultrasound, and massage techniques.
If you or a loved one suffered a soft tissue injury such as whiplash after being involved in an automobile accident, it is important to speak with a skilled Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced Injury Attorney has the ability to determine whether you may be able to hold another person responsible for your injuries. The attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injury victims, in both Kansas and Missouri, obtain compensation. Our compassionate team of attorneys will fight for your rights and hold the wrongdoers accountable. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.