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Whiplash is perhaps the most common injury suffered after a car accident, and it is also one of the most ignored injuries. Whiplash can be extremely frustrating for car accident victims, as the stiffness and soreness that often comes along with it can last for days, weeks, or even months. While a sore neck may not seem like that big of a deal, anyone that has ever experienced whiplash would likely attest to the fact that it can have a major impact on a person’s ability to work and enjoy life. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often skeptical of whiplash injuries, as it is something people sometimes fake. If left untreated, whiplash can lead to far more serious problems and injuries, some of which can last a lifetime.
As a general rule of thumb, it is a good idea to visit a doctor or the hospital if you are experiencing any neck pain after a car accident. Even if you think the type of pain or soreness you are experiencing is minor, seek medical attention right away. Whiplash, also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD), typically occurs when someone experiences a sudden jolt of the neck and shoulders. This is most commonly associated with accidents in which a person’s vehicle is rear-ended by another, however, it is important to note it can happen in almost any type of collision or accident. In rear-end accidents, specifically, the force of impact suddenly propels your body forward in an unnatural manner. As the body is thrown forward, the head follows just a second behind, whipping up to meet the rest of the body. In many cases, inertia from the impact forces the head to keep moving forward, while the body is restrained by the seat belt.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
Before moving forward with a whiplash case, it is important that you understand what some of the most common symptoms of this type of injury are:
- Neck or shoulder pain and stiffness
- Soreness in the jaw
- A feeling of weakness in one or both arms
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Back pain
- Tinnitus (ringing of the ears)
- Any type of discomfort in the back, shoulders, or neck
It is important to note that these symptoms may take several hours or even days to show up. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of whiplash typically show up within 24 hours of the incident that caused the injury. If you have been involved in a car accident and are experiencing any of the above, please see a physician and then contact a personal injury attorney from Rad Law Firm.
How to File a Whiplash Claim
Pursuing a personal injury claim for something like whiplash against an insurance company or another driver is never easy. However, if you have had to pay for medical treatment out-of-pocket or have been unable to work because of your injury, it is important that you do so. Before filing a whiplash claim, it is important that you seek medical attention. One of the biggest mistakes people make in these types of cases is delaying medical treatment. In order to convince a claims adjuster of the seriousness of your whiplash injury, you need the opinion of a medical provider to back you up. With this, make sure you have selected a qualified medical professional who understands your case. Document everything and ask for a signed note or diagnosis from the doctor detailing your whiplash injuries and the expected recovery time. If you underwent an MRI, CT scan, blood tests, or any other exams or treatment, make sure you have it documented.
To learn more about filing a whiplash claim in Dallas, please contact Rad Law Firm today.
