How Whiplash Can Cause Lasting Trauma and Pain

Whether you’re involved in a minor or serious car accident, it’s likely that you’ll experience whiplash to some degree. Whiplash is a common car accident injury that leaves victims with lingering pain, headaches, and limited mobility. While it often heals on its own without intervention, some cases of whiplash can leave you with ongoing pain and trauma.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s time to learn more about your legal options. Call Nowell Law Firm at 864-707-1785 to schedule a consultation now.

Common Causes of Whiplash

Car accidents are among the most common sources of whiplash. In particular, rear-end accidents comprise a large number of whiplash cases. However, sports injuries can also lead to serious whiplash cases.

Whiplash occurs when the body experiences sudden acceleration or deceleration. The neck is snapped back and forth rapidly, much like when someone uses a whip. This puts tremendous pressure on every part of the neck, including the vertebra, muscles, and tendons. Although the neck is strong, it simply isn’t built to withstand this type of force.

Symptoms and Outcomes of Whiplash

Wondering if your car accident left you with whiplash? There are several symptoms to look for. The first is neck pain or soreness. This may also present as neck stiffness that leaves you unable to turn your head completely or stretch. More severe cases of whiplash may cause nausea and vomiting, difficulty sleeping, headaches and migraines, and damage to your vision or hearing.

Outcomes vary, depending on the severity of your case and how proactive you are about seeking treatment. For those with minor cases of whiplash, plenty of rest and mild painkillers are often enough. The condition may resolve itself within a few days or weeks. For others, though, the road to recovery is much longer.

If your whiplash is severe enough to cause migraines, nausea, and damage to your senses, it’s likely that you’re facing a serious case of whiplash. In this case, you could be dealing with side effects for weeks, months, or even years. You may require physical therapy, pain management, and even surgery.

Treatment Options for Whiplash

It’s difficult to know whether you have a minor or severe case of whiplash, and that’s why it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car crash. If you have a mild case that requires little to no medical intervention, you haven’t lost anything by seeing a doctor. If you have a severe case, seeing a doctor right away can help you get the necessary treatment as quickly as possible and improve your chances of making a full recovery.

Treatment options differ depending on the severity of your case and the symptoms it causes. For many people, rest is the most important part of recovering from whiplash. Getting plenty of rest gives your body time to heal itself. Getting back to normal too quickly could actually worsen your injury and delay the healing process.

Other treatment options include alternating hot and cold compresses, using NSAIDs or other over-the-counter painkillers, prescription painkillers for more severe cases, physical therapy, and protective collars that limit your movement.

When Whiplash Causes Long-Term Issues

Medical treatment is never cheap, and without a successful claim against the person who caused your accident, you could be left paying all of your medical bills on your own. No matter how serious your whiplash is, it’s time to talk to an attorney about your legal options. The costs associated with car accident injuries can be devastating for a family, especially once you add in lost wages, property damage, and medical expenses. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you can build a case against the liable party and seek the compensation you deserve.

Choose Nowell Law Firm for Your Personal Injury Needs

The team at Nowell Law Firm knows that whiplash can put a damper on your physical health, independence, and ability to work. That’s why we help accident victims fight for full and fair compensation after a crash. Ready to get started and find out how we can help you? Give us a call at 864-707-1785 or reach out to us online now.