Whiplash is a type of injury that most people in Oakland County have heard of but may not know much about. The word may make you think of a neck brace, but beyond that, there is a lot to learn about what whiplash is, its symptoms and how having a whiplash injury can impact your quality of life.
Whiplash is a type of neck injury. It can result when the neck snaps back and forth forcefully, somewhat like the crack of a whip. One of the most common causes of whiplash is getting rear-ended in a car. This type of car accident can cause the head to fling forward and backward. People can also get whiplash from tip-and-fall accidents, contact sports and being physically attacked.
Frequent symptoms of whiplash
Unlike many injuries, whiplash is not always immediately apparent even to the sufferer. Symptoms might not develop until several days have passed. Common signs of whiplash include:
- Stiffness
- Pain that gets worse when you move your neck
- Reduced range of neck motion
- Headaches that seem to radiate from the base of your skull
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Pain or tenderness in the arms, shoulders and/or upper back
- Numbness or a tingling sensation in the arms
Less often, victims experience symptoms like blurred vision, irritability, trouble sleeping and difficulty with concentration. Symptoms can be more severe if the injury occurred in a high-speed accident, or if the patient is older, has had whiplash before, or if the injury aggravated a pre-existing lower back or neck problem.
Pain management and rehabilitation
The most serious cases can last for months or years. Treatment can help control the pain and restore at least some neck movement. But you may be unable to work in the meantime, especially if your job involves lifting heavy objects or moving your body a lot.
Whiplash can cause medical bills to pile up while you are in serious pain and unable to earn a paycheck. A personal injury attorney can go over your accident with you and explain if you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the people responsible.
