Car accidents can leave you feeling jarred and tense. Once the adrenaline wears off, you may realize that the pain you felt from the initial collision is not going away. Often in car accidents, the driver or passengers will be suddenly jolted, causing their head to move backward rapidly or forward suddenly and sharply. This can cause a neck sprain known as whiplash. Knowing the signs of whiplash and when to call your doctor is essential. It is also important to contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering that occurred due to the accident.
Whiplash Symptoms to Look for After a Car Accident
Symptoms of whiplash can include a dull aching pain in your neck, difficulty turning your neck side-to-side, muscle spasms, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and memory issues. In more severe cases, people with whiplash will suffer from insomnia, problems staying focused, and sudden mood changes.
It is wise to seek medical help after any car accident. The crash does not even need to be very severe to cause whiplash. Even a slow collision could cause a serious injury if it causes your head and neck to move in an unnatural manner. You may not feel the full symptoms of a whiplash injury until hours or even days after the crash. Heat and ice, along with pain relievers, are typically recommended after the first signs of neck pain. You should contact your doctor if your symptoms don’t get better after two weeks, get worse after showing some initial improvement, have a negative impact on your daily life, cause you to wake up when sleeping, and make you lose interest in previously enjoyable activities.
Whiplash can be diagnosed by a doctor through an examination, sometimes with the aid of a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show any soft tissue damage. While neck braces were commonly used for cases of whiplash in the past, your doctor may not recommend one in every case. Common treatments include stretching, medication, physical therapy, and steroid or lidocaine injections. You may feel better in days or up to a month. However, in more severe cases or for older people or those who have preexisting neck or back problems, symptoms may linger for months or even years.
Contact a DuPage County Car Accident Injury Lawyer
At the Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C., we know the aftermath of an auto accident can leave you feeling shaken, physically injured, and with many questions. Our Wheaton car crash injury attorneys can learn about the details of your accident, help you build your case, and seek compensation from those responsible. If whiplash or any other car accident-related injury impacts your personal or professional life, schedule a free consultation by calling 630-665-5678 today.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11982-whiplash-neck-strain-neck-sprain