What is Whiplash?
‘Whiplash' is a term used to describe a variety of injuries that can occur when the neck is thrown backward or forward during an auto accident. Whiplash more accurately refers to the method of injury, rather than the injury itself. Damage to the nerves, muscles, ligaments, discs, and joints in the neck and back can all occur due to whiplash. Along with neck and nerve damage often associated with whiplash injuries, brain injuries can occur as a result of severe whiplash.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Victims of whiplash often do not notice any symptoms for a full 24 hours or more after their accident. This is why it is important to have a thorough medical exam after an accident, even if you feel “fine” at the time.
Symptoms of whiplash can include:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck
- Headaches and dizziness
- Pain in the shoulders or lower back
- Ringing in the ears
- Numbness in the hands or arms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
If whiplash in a car accident inflicted soft tissue injuries severe enough to cause chronic pain for months and years to come – or if you suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to whiplash – you deserve fair compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional hardships that your injury has caused you, and will cause you in the future.
Obtaining Compensation for Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash injury is so common that many auto insurance companies now have a program that they use to pay out settlements: usually referred to as MIST (Minor Impact Soft Tissue). Unfortunately, this program is often used to pay whiplash victims far less than they are actually entitled to since the program judges the severity of a whiplash injury based on the amount of damage to your vehicle.
Scientific studies show that this is a flawed model. Significant, long-lasting whiplash injuries can occur in less than a second, even in low-speed collisions. The amount of vehicle damage is in no way proportionate to the severity of the injury. In fact, one study reveals that the less a car is damaged in a collision, the higher the risk of injury to the spine, since the body absorbs more of the force of impact.
One of the most important things that you must do is seek immediate medical attention and be very specific in describing your pain to the doctor. Not only will this allow your doctor to provide you with the best care and treatment plan, but it will also help you build or maintain the value of your case.
If you suffered whiplash during a car accident that was caused by another person's negligence, make sure you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our dedicated and highly experienced Ridgefield auto accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve following an accident.
Our team is eager to assist you! To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced Connecticut injury lawyers, or to learn more about how we can help you, click here to contact us or call us today at (203) 438-7450.
Related Reading:
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How to Identify and Treat Whiplash Injuries