Whiplash Injuries From
Car Accident
Whiplash — a neck injury caused by sudden jerking movements is one of the most common types of car accident injuries. Although whiplash is a soft tissue injury, it can have devastating effects, including neck stiffness, shoulder or back pain, sleep disturbances, headaches, and blurred vision.
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If you or a loved one have suffered whiplash after a car accident, you can recover damages by hiring NST Law’s skilled car accident lawyers. Our experienced legal team will fight tooth and nail to secure maximum compensation for you.
For a free consultation from NST Law, call the champs today at 866-724-1113, or fill out our online form. We are available 24/7 to help you.Â
What Causes Whiplash?
Rear-end car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash. However, there are many other potential causes, including:
- Truck, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents
- Assaults
- Premises liability accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Repetitive use injuries
- Sports injuries
- Roller coaster injuries
Symptoms of Whiplash After a Car Accident
Signs of whiplash after car accidents vary depending on the severity of the car accident. As a general rule of thumb, the greater the compression or extension of your neck, the more symptoms you’ll have.
Experts have created the Quebec Classification of Whiplash-Associated Disorders to grade the severity of whiplash symptoms. Here’s a breakdown of each grade or level of severity:
Grade 0
If you have Grade 0 whiplash, you won’t feel any pain or show any symptoms or signs of injury.
Grade 1
If you have Grade 1 whiplash, you will feel pain. You will also experience stiffness when moving and feel tender when being touched near the injury.
Grade 2
Grade 2 whiplash features all of the symptoms from Grade 1 plus physical signs of injury. Grade 2 pain may also include:
- Muscle spasms that make it difficult to turn or move your neck and head
- Pain that radiates to surrounding areas, including your face, head, back, and shoulder
- Physical injury signs — swelling, bruising, and sensitivity — when touched around the injury
Grade 3
This whiplash grade involves neurological symptoms. These symptoms happen because inflammation and swelling from the whiplash injury disrupt nerve signals in the injured area or to and from your brain.
Grade 3 symptoms include:
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Headaches
- Tingling, burning, or a pins-and-needles feeling in your upper back, upper arms, neck, or shoulders
- Loss of voice and trouble swallowing
- Vertigo or dizziness
Grade 4
Grade 4 is the highest level of whiplash symptoms. If you have Grade 4 whiplash, you will have more severe versions of all the symptoms from the previous grades, especially neurological ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about whiplash injuries.
Who Does Whiplash Affect?
Whiplash can affect anyone but is more likely to cause lasting or serious injuries in:
- Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB): Women and people AFAB are more likely to experience whiplash due to:
- Height and weight: Women and people AFAB are typically shorter, lighter, and smaller than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). As such, they are more susceptible to whiplash injuries.
- Muscle differences: Women and people AFAB tend to have less muscle tissue. Accordingly, they have less mass to absorb and reduce the effects of sudden impact forces.
- Spine structure differences: Women and people AFAB have a different spine structure than men and people AMAB, which means they are more likely to suffer spinal damage.
- Vehicle construction: Vehicle construction may increase whiplash risk for women and people AFAB. Since women and people AFAB are usually shorter than men and people AMAB, the head restraints and other safety features may not adequately protect them from whiplash.
- Older adults over 65: Older adults over 65 are more prone to bone and muscle injuries due to age-related bone and muscle deterioration.
How Long After a Car Accident Can Whiplash Occur?
You will typically show signs and symptoms of whiplash within days of the car accident. However, don’t wait to see the doctor — it’s important that you seek medical care right after your accident, even if you don’t feel pain. Getting an accurate and prompt diagnosis is vital to rule out other injuries that can worsen or cause similar symptoms.
How Long Does Whiplash Last After a Car Accident?
It depends on the severity of your whiplash injuries.
Mild whiplash usually lasts a few weeks and doesn’t lead to any permanent effects. However, severe whiplash injuries can last for several months or years. Such injuries may also result in long-term neurological symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, herniated discs, and back pain.
What To Do After Whiplash From a Car Accident?
Whiplash injuries can change your life forever, especially if they’re severe. Here’s how to care for yourself and pursue compensation for your pain and suffering:Â
1. Stay at the SceneÂ
Stay at the car accident scene until the police and emergency services arrive. Leaving a car accident scene in Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas is illegal.
2. Call 911
The next step is to call the police and emergency response crews to the accident scene. This allows them to gather evidence to determine who was at fault and treat any injured people. Police will also look for signs of illegal activities, including driver intoxication.
3. Take Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene
Feeling anxious is normal after a car accident, especially if you’ve been injured. However, you must stay calm and take photos and videos of the accident scene before seeking medical help. Without these images, you won’t have a solid case when pursuing a personal injury claim.
4. Seek Medical Help
Once you’ve called 911 and documented the accident scene, immediately seek medical help at a hospital or clinic. Keep detailed records of your whiplash injury and copies of your medical paperwork. You can use these records later to strengthen your claim in court.Â
5. Care For Yourself at Home
After receiving medical care, take care of your whiplash injuries by:
- Following your doctor’s advice
- Taking pain medicines as directed
- Going to all appointments
- Avoiding activities that worsen your whiplash symptoms
- Using a foam collar to protect your neck
- Doing exercises to stretch your neck and back once the pain is gone
6. Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Finally, you can recuperate your losses by contacting an experienced car accident attorney. If the lawyer determines that you have a valid case, you can hire them to represent you in court. Your lawyer will then handle every aspect of your case for you, including:
- Building a strong case
- Drafting and filing legal documents on or ahead of time
- Gathering and preserving evidence, including torn clothing, car parts, debris, photos, and videos
- Negotiating with insurance companies and opposing parties
- Fighting for your rights in court
NST Law Can Help You With Whiplash Car Accidents
Finding the right car accident attorney can be challenging, especially when you’re recovering from whiplash.
If you or a loved one suffer from whiplash, NST Law’s champions for the injured are here to help. Knowledgeable and compassionate, we have fought for the rights of whiplash victims for over 30 years and have recovered two billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Call NST Law today at 800-529-4004 for your free case evaluation. You can also fill out our online form to learn more about how we can help you.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.