Minor Accidents Can Have Serious Consequences
It does not always require a big collision to cause an injury. A study published in European Spine Journal concluded that car accident whiplash injuries are possible at speeds as low as nine miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour).
Individual cervical neck injuries largely depend on the size of a passenger, the direction of impact and the position of an injured victim. Smaller passengers are much more likely to sustain a serious injury. A slight female will experience two to four times the head linear acceleration as a large male in the same accident.
Whiplash is common in car accident victims, and is often wrongly dismissed as a minor or self-repairing injury. If an accident victim does not receive proper treatment for a whiplash injury, they may risk serious complications in the future.
Signs & Symptoms of Whiplash Injuries
Many victims do not feel pain immediately after an accident because the adrenaline of the situation masks their discomfort. After a few hours or days, a victim may begin to notice whiplash symptoms that can include:
- Neck pain—can range from mild to severe. It might be located in one spot or a general area. Usually pain from whiplash is caused by ligament or muscle strains, but can also be caused by damage to nerves, joints, or bones.
- Pain radiating through the back and upper shoulders
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
- Headaches
- Pain at the base of the skull
- Tinnitus—ringing in the ears
- Vertigo—feeling dizzy or faint
- Neck instability—resulting from stretched or torn ligaments or fractures
- Radiating tingling, weakness, or numbness—spinal nerve roots may become compressed or inflamed
The Long-Term Complications of Cervical Neck Injuries
Symptoms that last for over six months can be considered chronic whiplash. The discomfort and related disorders may lead to significant time away from work and a number of treatments with painkillers, muscle relaxants, physiotherapy, and nerve stimulation.
In the long term, severe cervical neck injuries can lead to osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, neurological issues and emotional problems. Lingering issues are not uncommon, though many patients and doctors fail to see the connection between a past injury and chronic pain and headaches that continue for years after an accident.
The symptoms of chronic whiplash may include:
- Back pain
- Pain and stiffness in the neck or shoulders
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Jaw pain
- Constant fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
- Depression or anxiety
Because whiplash is a soft tissue injury, it may be difficult to detect in diagnostic tests. Insurance companies may dismiss claims and deny coverage to injury victims. Also because of its often slow onset, many people don’t realize that they need or are eligible for compensation after suffering whiplash injuries. As an injury progresses, the small injury can have long-term effects that requires treatment.
If you suspect you may have whiplash after an accident, visit a medical professional and contact an experienced attorney to determine whether you are eligible for compensation to recover medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages.
Why are these cases important?
Whiplash may seem invisible, but its effects can linger for months or years. Victims should not bear the financial and emotional burden alone. Legal action not only helps secure compensation but also holds negligent parties accountable for the harm they caused.