Whiplash Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents
The so-called whiplash injury is basically a sprain in the cervical dorsal neck area. The whiplash phenomenon has been described as the backward and forward snapping of a person’s head, the kind with which one gets from sudden acceleration of an automobile and which can result in the stretching of the neck muscles and ligaments which sometimes produces muscle spasm. This type of injury frequently occurs with rear end automobile accidents. In this blog post, we will explain how to spot whiplash injuries after being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Whiplash Injuries Explained
Whiplash can be a serious and painful injury that often doesn’t bother you until two or three days after the accident. Medical experts say that the so-called whiplash otherwise known as cervical dorsal sprain or simply neck injury is the type of injury that frequently occurs in rear end automobile accidents. An individual sitting in a car seat who does not have adequate support for their head will be subjected to a tremendous amount of force during an unexpected rear end accident. The hyperextension of the neck causes a backward bending of the neck which is said to be due to the unique anatomy of the neck and dorsal portion of the spine in comparison to that of the rest of the vertebrae. In any event, the degree of injury or the damage to the neck and/or spine can only be determined by proper medical diagnosis by a physician. It is important to understand that whiplash injuries sometimes arise days or weeks after an accident.
Common Symptoms of Whiplash Injury
The more common symptoms of a wish whiplash type injury encountered in patients are as follows:
Neck pain: neck pain which should appear within a few days after injury if not immediately after an accident.
Shoulder and Back Pain: When the neck’s soft tissues, such as the muscles or ligaments, are torn or strained during an accident, you may experience pain to other soft tissue areas such as the upper back and shoulders.
Neck stiffness: neck stiffness is also a frequent symptom and they derive from muscle spasms or later stages of convalescence from too long a period of immobilization.
Vertigo: a fair percentage of people would also complain of dizziness or vertigo. Vertigo is the sensation that objects or individuals are turning in space or a feeling of unsteadiness at intervals indicating that there is probably a disturbance of circulation to the brain.
Over 19 Years of Experience and Millions in Recoveries!
Overall, the prognosis for whiplash injuries is good. With the right medical treatment, one should expect steady improvement after the first two or three weeks unless definite skeletal or neurological damage can be established. Even so, recovery should usually be obtained in a period of 3 to 4 months except. At Suarez & Montero, our team of injury lawyers have more than 19 years of experience helping injury victims across South Florida who have sustained severe injuries in all kinds of accidents due to the negligence or carelessness of others. If you or your loved one were injured due to another’s negligence, the attorneys at Suarez & Montero Car Accident Attorneys can help. We understand that accidents can have a huge impact on you and your family. At the Law Offices of Suarez & Montero Car Accident Attorneys, you are never just another file or claim to us—you are part of our family and your well-being is just as important to us as if you were our own family. Our car accident lawyers work with investigators, witnesses, and experts to obtain all the essential details of any accident to help put you in the best possible position to obtain compensation for your injury and damages. Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
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