Whiplash is among the most common injuries people suffer in car accidents, especially those involving rear-end collisions. It occurs when your head and neck are thrown forward and back following a sudden force. How serious is whiplash? Because it involves injuries to the tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues in the neck, it can be very serious. Plus, whiplash injuries can sometimes have delayed symptoms that might not appear for hours or days after an accident. It’s important to understand how severe whiplash can be and seek immediate medical attention following any car crash.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms may not appear for hours or days following your crash. Some of the most common symptoms include the following:
- Neck pain
- Stiff neck/loss of range of motion
- Pain radiating down the arms
- Shoulder pain
- Pain in the lower back
- Numbness or tingling that radiates down the arms
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Trouble concentrating
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away to obtain a diagnosis. Remember that it’s always a good idea to see a healthcare provider immediately after a car accident to check for injuries and receive appropriate treatment.
Whiplash Severity and Complications
How serious is whiplash? It varies. Some people only experience mild discomfort, such as neck pain and stiffness that resolves within a few weeks. Mild whiplash injuries typically require rest and over-the-counter pain medications. Others might suffer moderate whiplash injuries that limit their mobility and cause pain. They might need to undergo physical therapy and take medication to recover, with symptoms lasting a few months. Finally, some people suffer severe whiplash injuries and might experience chronic pain that lasts for months or more. People with severe whiplash injuries may also suffer anxiety or depression as a result of their ongoing pain and other symptoms.
Some of the potential long-term complications of whiplash include the following:
- Chronic neck pain that affects your ability to work or engage in previously enjoyed activities
- Nerve damage that causes ongoing tingling, weakness, or numbness in your arms and hands
- Cervical disc herniations from the force involved in the whiplash injury
- Ligament or muscle damage that causes long-term range of motion issues
- Anxiety or depression
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prompt medical care can hasten your recovery, help you make informed decisions, and protect your rights so that you can recover compensation for your losses. When you see your doctor, they will ask questions about your medical history and your accident. Based on your symptoms, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Imaging tests allow your doctor to look for damage to your bones and soft tissues.
Once whiplash is diagnosed, treatment might include the following:
- Ice applied to the neck for the first 24 hours following your injury
- Heat applied to the neck once 24 hours or more have passed since your injury
- Cervical collar (however, this is not used as frequently as in the past)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen
- Gentle movements after 24 hours
- Muscle relaxers
- Corticosteroid injections in the neck
- Physical therapy
Get Help from an Experienced Attorney
How serious is whiplash? It can be quite serious in some circumstances. So if your whiplash injury occurred in an accident that someone else caused, you should consult an experienced injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave. An attorney can review the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights. If your injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, you might recover compensation for your medical bills, income losses, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party and their insurer. To receive a free consultation, contact us today by calling 417-322-2222 or sending us a message online.