Whiplash, a common neck injury, can occur following sudden impact with another vehicle, person, or object. Minor whiplash cases may heal in as little as a few weeks, whereas more severe cases may require ongoing treatment to heal.
Many accident victims wonder when whiplash symptoms will appear after an injury. The onset varies widely, making whiplash challenging to identify immediately. This guide covers common causes of whiplash, typical symptoms, and when you should take legal action.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury specific to the neck involving torn or strained muscles, ligaments, or nerves. It occurs following the sudden jerking motion of the head, either forward, backward, or both. In some cases, whiplash can impact the spinal discs or even cause nerve damage and other neurological disorders.
Common Causes of Whiplash
Whiplash can occur from a wide range of accidents. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Car Accidents: Rear-end collisions are one of the most common causes of neck injuries, occurring when one vehicle suddenly impacts another from behind.
- Sports Injuries: Whiplash injuries can also occur from sports. Contact sports, including hockey and football, can lead to a neck injury or damage to the soft tissues.
- Physical Assault: A physical assault victim may also suffer from whiplash symptoms, especially if they are thrown forward or shaken.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Sometimes, slip-and-fall accidents can also lead to whiplash symptoms. The sudden slipping movement can cause the head to be thrown backward, tightening the neck muscles.
The Onset of Whiplash Symptoms
Recognizing whiplash symptoms and their onset time can help accident victims recover faster and protect their well-being. Here are a few things to know about whiplash injuries.
Immediate vs. Delayed Symptoms
One of the hardest parts of diagnosing whiplash is that the symptoms may arise at different periods, depending on the injury. Some people may notice immediate symptoms of whiplash, which may include neck pain, blurred vision, or muscle spasms.
Other people may not notice symptoms until hours, days, or weeks after the accident. Delayed symptoms can sometimes make connecting them to the accident more difficult.
Factors Affecting Onset Time
Certain factors, including the severity of the crash, affect how long it takes to notice whiplash symptoms following an accident. Those involved in a severe car accident may suffer from other injuries, which could mask or minimize the symptoms of whiplash.
The injured party’s age and overall health could also impact their symptoms. Younger car accident victims may not experience whiplash symptoms until much later compared to victims of an older age.
Pre-existing health conditions, particularly those involving neck pain or chronic whiplash injuries, can make it more challenging to diagnose new whiplash symptoms.
The Role of Adrenaline and Shock
Many car accident victims experience shock, a survival mechanism in which the body minimizes pain to get through the situation. While this response helps people cope with immediate danger, it can dangerously mask injuries that require urgent medical attention.
Additionally, the body releases a surge of adrenaline during traumatic events like car accidents. This hormone increases alertness and energy while blocking pain signals, working alongside the shock response. This release explains why some accident victims feel completely fine immediately after a collision, only to discover injuries hours or even days later.
The combined effects of shock and adrenaline can make it particularly challenging to identify whiplash symptoms in the critical period following an accident.
Common Whiplash Symptoms
Recognizing whiplash symptoms is essential for accident victims to seek proper medical treatment following a collision.
Neck Pain and Stiffness
Neck pain and stiffness are among the most common symptoms of whiplash. Accident victims may notice persistent neck pain or stiffness when moving their necks. The neck stiffness may also be accompanied by tingling or numbness.
Headaches
Headaches are also common among accident victims with whiplash. Most commonly, you may notice pain in the back of the head where it meets the neck. The pain may radiate to nearby locations, including the temples or the top of the head.
Tension-type headaches result from torn or strained neck tissues, including the joints, discs, or nerves. Cervicogenic headaches originate from the neck and may include pain and stiffness.
Dizziness and Vertigo
Whiplash injuries frequently cause dizziness and balance problems. When the neck is injured, it can misalign the spine, resulting in cervical vertigo – a condition where victims experience a spinning sensation, ear inflammation, and difficulty maintaining balance.
These symptoms may include general lightheadedness and true vertigo, where the room appears to spin around the person.
Other Symptoms
Other whiplash symptoms include blurred vision, impaired neck movement, memory problems, and upper back pain. Accident victims may even have pain in the upper arms or shoulders with limited range of motion. Fatigue, inability to concentrate, or difficulty sleeping are also commonly caused by whiplash.
Why Prompt Medical Attention is Crucial
Immediate medical attention is crucial following an accident with a possible whiplash injury. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of whiplash can help minimize pain, improve mobility, and lessen the long-lasting effects. Additionally, receiving medical attention soon after the accident helps victims connect the injury to the crash and file a whiplash claim.
Diagnosing Whiplash
Seeking immediate medical evaluation after an accident allows doctors to identify whiplash and rule out other serious injuries. Early diagnosis enables prompt treatment, reducing pain severity, preventing long-term damage, and speeding up recovery. In serious whiplash incidents involving sports, the right treatment plan can help avoid additional sports injuries.
Treatment Options
The treatment options for whiplash depend largely on the cause, severity, and symptoms. Over-the-counter medications may help alleviate severe pain. Applying heat to the muscles can reduce numbness and improve range of motion.
Physical therapy or chiropractic care may also be necessary for chronic pain symptoms. Steroid injections may also help reduce inflammation and improve the overall range of motion for whiplash patients.
Documenting Your Injuries
Seek prompt medical care after an accident to have whiplash diagnosed, receive proper treatment, and establish official documentation. A healthcare provider’s thorough examination creates essential medical records, which can later support your insurance claims or legal proceedings.
Keep detailed records of your symptoms, treatment costs, and recovery process in a daily journal, as this documentation helps establish the full extent of your damages when pursuing compensation through an insurance claim or third-party personal injury claim.
Proving Whiplash in a Claim
A personal injury claim allows accident victims to seek compensation for their injuries. However, proving whiplash can be challenging since the injury isn’t as visible or easily documented as other types of trauma.
Whiplash is often not visible on standard imaging tests, which can lead to the insurance company denying or minimizing your symptoms.
The Role of Medical Evidence in Whiplash Injury Claim
Even though whiplash may not always appear on standard imaging tests, other ways exist to prove injury. Medical records can show evidence of whiplash or neck sprain, and doctor or physical therapist reports can also show proof. Some law firms may use expert witnesses to prove whiplash based on symptoms.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help With Your Claim
Neck injuries and whiplash are common among car accident victims. For most people, whiplash will improve with time. However, others may be left with life-changing pain. If you were left with stiff muscles and chronic pain following an accident or physical abuse, you may be subject to legal compensation.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping car accident victims recover the compensation they need. Whether you experienced whiplash, broken bones, or another injury, our Chicago car accident attorney team is here to help navigate your case.
Contact our car accident law firm at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.