What is Whiplash?

It is no surprise that whiplash gets its name from the sound made when cracking a whip, considering it is an injury that is acquired by the sudden and forceful jerking of the head and neck. While this type of injury can be the result of a sports-related injury or even a slip/trip and fall accident, they most commonly occur after a motor vehicle accident. A whiplash-type injury is not just likely to happen after the most severe accident. In fact, this injury can transpire after a relatively minor rear-end accident involving a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle. A few major factors that contribute to whiplash-type injuries include but are not limited to:

• The force of the impact
• The speed of the vehicles involved in the car crash
• The way you were seated in the vehicle at the time of the impact
• What parts of your body struck what objects with inside the vehicle 
• Whether you were wearing a seat belt, whether the airbag deployed 
• Whether you had pre-existing injuries or conditions which might have exacerbated your whiplash injury

Identifying a Whiplash Injury

Typically a car accident victim will suffer some or all of the following types of injuries:

• neck pain
• shoulder pain
• headaches
• mid back pain
• low back pain
• numbness
• tingling
• pain radiating into other body parts. 

After a motor vehicle accident, the chances of suffering a whiplash-type injury are quite high and may go without an immediate diagnosis. This is because a whiplash-type injury is considered a soft tissue injury. These injuries cannot be seen on any type of x-ray, CAT scan, or MRI as they do not involve a bone but rather involve the muscles, ligaments, and tissue. Sometimes, whiplash symptoms take weeks- or even months- to show up and might become worse when scar tissue begins to form. It is crucial that you receive regular treatment after an accident and alert your doctor of any new pain that develops after an accident. Doing so will help in building and maintaining the value of your potential personal injury case.

Whiplash Injury Treatment

The extent of your injury can be minor, requiring little to no treatment. However, more severe cases can require months of physical therapy, some type of surgical intervention, or some other form of medical care and treatment. One of the most important things that you must do is seek immediate medical attention and receive the best possible treatment relating to the condition.

When speaking with your doctor, you need to make sure that you properly detail all of the pain complaints, restrictions, limitations, and other challenges that you experienced as a result of your car accident. It is not enough to say to your doctor that your neck hurts. You must be very specific in describing your pain, giving your doctor as much information as you can. This will help your doctor to provide you with the best possible care and treatment. Good examples of questions to be more specific in describing your injuries include but are not limited to:

• Is your pain burning, stabbing, dull, or does it radiate into other body parts?
• How severe is the pain?
• How frequently does it occur?
• Are there any activities that you engage in that make the pain worse?
• How does your pain limit you in your day-to-day activities?
• Does your pain affect your ability to work?
• What activities tend to provide you with some type of relief?
• What type of over-the-counter medication are you taking?
• How does this affect your sleep?

The Next Steps

After seeking medical attention, your next step should be getting in touch with an experienced injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Our Connecticut car accident lawyers have been representing injury victims for decades and can advise you on what exactly you should or should not be doing to maintain the value of your case. 

Do not wait to speak with one of our Connecticut car accident lawyers. Hastings, Cohan and Walsh, LLP offers complimentary in-office or virtual consultations where we will be happy to review the facts of your case with you in detail. If we decide to take your case, then you will owe us no legal fees unless we collect money for you. 

Click here to schedule a free case evaluation or call us at (203) 438-7450.