Whiplash: The Silent, Yet Painful Auto Accident Injury

One of the most common injuries sustained in auto accidents is whiplash. As common as whiplash may be, it is also considered a silent injury in that the whiplash symptoms are often not immediately apparent. Whiplash injuries are generally very underestimated by both the injured victims, as well as the insurance company paying out on the claim. Most of us mistakenly believe that whiplash is not a serious injury, and after a few days or a week of soreness, the situation will resolve itself. This underestimation often keeps victims from seeking medical help when they need it.

Although most cases of whiplash are not very serious and can resolve over time with medical intervention, whiplash can occasionally result in serious spine injuries that become permanent. This is the exact reason why if you have been involved in an auto accident, especially a rear-end collision, you should immediately seek medical attention.

Defining Whiplash

A whiplash injury occurs when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident that causes your head to be whipped back and forth as a result of an external impact. Such a violent impact can affect your vertebrae, cervical disks, joints, ligaments, muscles or tendons. Symptoms of whiplash are not always easy to identify, especially in cases where they don’t set in immediately following the accident. Insurance carriers are well aware of the issues surrounding a whiplash injury and take advantage of it in avoiding paying the full compensation the injured victim is entitled to.

If you have been involved in an accident and suffer any of the following symptoms, you may have experienced a whiplash injury and should seek immediate medical attention:

• Stiffness in the neck and back
• Worsening of pain with neck movement
• Loss of range of motion
• Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
• Dizzy spells
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

Treating Whiplash

Whiplash can be treated in various ways, depending on the severity of the symptoms. If you are suffering a less serious case of whiplash injury, treatment may include a period of rest and keeping your neck immobilized. If you have suffered a more serious whiplash injury with symptoms that are more unbearable, you may require epidural injections, nerve root block injections, or rhizotomy injections to alleviate your pain.

Call an Orange County Car Accident Attorney Today!

The legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas is dedicated to helping our injured clients reach the best monetary settlement when they are involved in any type of accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, or any other accident, caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another party, our experienced Orange County car accident attorneys are available to personally review your case.  Call us at 949-727-9300 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.