Are You Suffering From Whiplash After a Car Accident?

Whiplash is a common injury to the neck one can sustain from a car accident. An injury is caused by the head moving jerkily back and forth very suddenly and it is capable of causing more serious damage.The neck muscles are trying to reset your neck into the correct position when whiplash occurs and the tissues and muscles overcorrect. If you have suffered from whiplash, you may also be at risk for tears to your neck’s muscles, ligaments and tendons due to the unnatural and rapid movement.

Who is Most Likely to Suffer Whiplash?

Whiplash can happen to anyone under the right conditions, but it is most commonly seen in:

• Victims of slip and fall incidents
• People involved in bicycle accidents.
• People participating in contact sports.
• Victims of car accidents, especially if the accident involved a rear impact

List of Common Whiplash Symptoms

You should follow up with a medical professional after any injury to receive treatment if necessary, that goes for whiplash as well. Here are a few symptoms to watch out for after an accident that may indicate whiplash:

• Increasing pain as you move.
• Muscle spasms
• Loss of Short Term Memory
• Fatigue
• Stiffness and pain in the neck, upper back or shoulders
• Headache, dizziness and blurry vision
• Sensation of numbness or a tingling in the arms
• Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears.

Because symptoms don’t always show themselves immediately following the accident, it is crucial to get checked out by your doctor immediately even if you feel fine.

Visit a Doctor Immediately

The existence and severity of your injury may not become apparent immediately, and a victim may think that they have walked away from a car accident injury-free. If you go untreated for the initial injury, you may be risking yourself for further damage. In serious cases, you could suffer long term damage if you forego medical treatment.

If you have suffered a blow to the head in the accident as well, then you may have experienced life-threatening bruising on your brain as a result of smashing against another surface. This may also lead to nerve damage, broken blood vessels and a serious concussion. If your brain does not receive the proper treatment and time to heal, then you may be susceptible to fatal swelling of the brain tissue if you suffer an additional injury. It is important to consult with an experienced medical professional to heal injury such as the physical therapist Rockville, MD locals turn to.

Seeking Damages Through a Personal Injury Claim

Another major reason to seek immediate medical attention is to build evidence of your injury when you decide to pursue a personal injury case. In order to receive compensation from an insurance company or negligent driver, you must have proof of your injury. Important documents you should keep copies of include doctor’s notes, prescriptions, a log of visits, and treatment plans. An insurance company will try to discredit you in order to avoid compensating you, so you must save copies of everything

If you have suffered whiplash in a car accident, seek medical attention and then call an attorney. A personal injury attorney can provide a free consultation on your particular case, and will provide you a better chance at receiving fair compensation for your injuries.

Thanks to authors at Pain and Arthritis Center for their insight into Chiropractic Care.