For many people who suffer a whiplash injury, the symptoms are minor and may cause nothing more than a few days of soreness and inconvenience. However, for most whiplash victims, especially those injured in car accidents, a whiplash injury can result in significant pain, limited mobility, and even long-term disability.
If you suffered a whiplash injury as a result of a car accident or collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and medical expenses. The Missouri personal injury lawyers at Foster Wallace, LLC, can help assess your injuries and help you recover the compensation you deserve from the person at fault.
Continue reading here to learn more about the nature of whiplash injuries, how they are treated, and how the car accident whiplash lawyers at Foster Wallace can help you obtain the maximum award for your injuries.
What Is a Whiplash Injury?
The Mayo Clinic describes whiplash as “a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Consider what happens when the driver of a vehicle suddenly steps on the brakes, causing your torso, neck, and head to snap forward and back again. Such sudden motion can strain the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and other soft tissue in the neck and spine, resulting in significant and chronic pain and possible long-term complications.
How Common Are Whiplash Injuries?
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Whiplash is a common result after a motor vehicle accident. In one task force study of whiplash, 83% of patients who suffered some grade of whiplash injury were involved in a collision. There are more than 3 million new cases of whiplash diagnosed each year. More than half of these injuries progress to chronic symptoms for the victim, which can result in long-term treatment and extensive medical costs. More than 65% of all bodily injury claims include a whiplash injury.
Women and children are 5 times more likely than men to experience more severe whiplash after a vehicle accident because their necks are smaller and less capable of absorbing the traumatic impact of the accident. People with preexisting conditions affecting their neck or spine, such as arthritis or soft tissue conditions, also can experience more severe whiplash and more significant pain as a result of trauma to the head, neck, and spine. Elderly persons (over age 65) who commonly experience muscle and bone deterioration with age are also prone to more severe whiplash injuries when involved in any type of fall or traumatic impact.
What Are Some Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries?
Whiplash can be caused by any activity that causes the head and neck to move suddenly in one direction more quickly than the rest of the body. Common occurrences resulting in whiplash include:
- Activities associated with contact sports, such as football, soccer, boxing, and rugby;
- Motions and body movements naturally produced on amusement rides, like roller coasters and similar attractions; and
- Common slips and falls.
However, the most prevalent cause of whiplash by far is motor vehicle accidents.
Naturally, the risk of whiplash in a car crash increases with the severity of the impact in the crash. Accidents involving heavier vehicles traveling at greater speeds pose a greater likelihood of a whiplash injury. But a car crash does not have to be violent for whiplash to result. In fact, most whiplash injuries occur when vehicles are traveling under 12 miles per hour. But victims can suffer serious whiplash in a vehicle collision, even when traveling as slowly as 5 miles per hour.
How Can I Minimize the Risk of Suffering a Whiplash Injury in a Car Accident?
Any vehicle collision at any speed can cause whiplash under the right circumstances. The most common type of car accident resulting in whiplash injury is the rear-end collision, which causes the type of head movement that results in the most serious head, neck, and spinal injuries.
There are several things you can do when riding in a motor vehicle to minimize the likelihood of suffering serious consequences from a whiplash injury after an accident:
- Wear your seat belt properly. Seatbelts are most effective when they are worn properly. Seat belts should be worn at all times in a moving vehicle, at any speed, and should be harnessed snugly around the waist and across the shoulder, as designed. When not worn properly, your seat belt cannot prevent the type of head and neck movement that leads to serious whiplash injuries. The owner’s manual of your vehicle includes directions on how to properly wear your seat belt for maximum protection in an accident.
- Properly adjust your seat and headrest. Riding in a properly-adjusted seat with a properly-positioned headrest can help minimize injuries caused in a rear-end collision. Studies reveal that proper headrest adjustment for minimizing injury in an accident is 2 inches away from the head, but 98 percent of vehicle passengers ride with their headrest much further away from their head.
- Exercise caution when driving. Simply being mindful of the possibility of a rear-end collision, such as at intersections, crosswalks, and stop signs can go a long way to reducing the risk of a serious whiplash injury. Always allow sufficient stopping distance from the car in front of you. Likewise, avoid situations requiring you to brake suddenly. Use your rear-view mirrors and be aware of the distance of the cars behind you when you brake. Preparing yourself for a rear-collision impact can reduce the degree of injury you may suffer if an unavoidable collision occurs.
- Assume a preventative position during an accident, if possible. Of course, most accidents occur quite unexpectedly. However, to the extent that you are aware of an imminent rear-end collision and can react, place your head firmly against your head rest and look forward. When the collision occurs, your head will more likely move at the speed of the car, which minimizes the differential motion effect that causes whiplash.
How Do I Know If I Have a Whiplash Injury?
Even though you may have experienced whiplash, you may not demonstrate symptoms immediately after an accident. Often, delayed symptoms may not appear for days, weeks, or even months after a collision.
The common symptoms of whiplash (collectively referred to as “Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)”) include:
- Neck pain;
- Neck stiffness;
- Arm pain;
- Paresthesias (abnormal tingling, burning, pricking, or numbness sensation in the skin);
- Memory lapse;
- Difficulty concentrating; and
- Psychological distress.
Whiplash victims also may experience:
- Headaches;
- Shoulder pain;
- Tiredness;
- Dizziness;
- Blurred vision;
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears);
- Trouble sleeping;
- Difficulty concentrating; and
- Depression.
These whiplash symptoms are classified into five categories or grades of injury based on the severity of the symptoms. These include the following:
- Grade 0. The patient has no physical signs of injury and complains of no neck pain or symptoms.
- Grade I. The patient complains of some neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness but demonstrates no physical signs of injury.
- Grade II. The patient experiencing some neck pain and demonstrates some signs of a musculoskeletal injury, such as decreased range of motion and tenderness focused at specific body points.
- Grade III. The patient experiencing some neck pain and demonstrates some signs of neurological impairment. This can include decreased or absent reflexes in the deep tendons, weakness, and sensory deficits.
- Grade IV. The patient experiences neck pain and demonstrates a fracture or dislocation injury.
How Long Can Whiplash Last?
Even a minor whiplash injury can develop into chronic neck and shoulder pain resulting in long-term disability. Pain management specialists report that it takes 17 weeks for the neck to stabilize after a severe whiplash injury. Approximately 75% of whiplash patients experience painful symptoms for 6 months or longer.
Nearly half of all whiplash patients remain symptomatic 3 months after injury. And 22% of patients do not return to their “normal” physical condition even after 2 years of recovery from their injury.
Many whiplash victims remain out of work for weeks at a time or do not return to work at all. Chronic whiplash pain can lead to long-term physical therapy and extended medical treatment and expenses. More than 50% of people who have whiplash injuries continue to have chronic pain 20 years after their original injury, and more than 60% of those require long-term medical follow-up. To minimize the impact of whiplash and further complications, it is best to diagnose your injury early and begin a regular course of treatment.
How Should I Treat My Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash can be difficult to treat because patients have varied pain symptoms, often without any evidence of injury. Traditional treatment included wearing a soft cervical collar to restrict the range of motion in the neck and cervical spine to rest the muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back. However, more recent studies suggest that extended rest may stiffen the muscles and prolong pain. Instead, early mobilization, exercise, and chiropractic manipulation can promote neck stabilization and increased flexibility. So, returning to normal physical activity as soon as possible after an injury can promote recovery. A prescribed regimen of physical therapy may alleviate symptoms for those with more chronic pain.
Call the Experienced Missouri Car Accident Attorneys at Foster Wallace to Obtain Compensation for Your Whiplash Injuries
If you are experiencing symptoms of whiplash after a car accident, the award-winning personal injury attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, can assist you to receive compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.
Dealing with painful whiplash symptoms and returning to physical health can take time and can be a painful process. But prompt diagnosis and proper treatment can alleviate pain and prolonged inactivity and promote your speedy return to full health. Recovering financially for your injuries also can be a burden if you do not have effective legal representation in your whiplash case.
If you are recovering from whiplash experienced in a motor vehicle accident, the Foster Wallace legal team will help you to:
- Assess your case;
- Gather relevant evidence;
- Prove fault;
- Value your injuries;
- Determine your damages;
- File your insurance claim;
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters; and
- Settle your whiplash claim for maximum compensation.
Our reputable car accident attorneys are available 24/7 to assist you. With over 50 years of combined experience handling all types of car accident injuries, we pride ourselves on providing personal care and professional service in every case, for every client. Call Foster Wallace today at 816-439-8665 for a free initial consultation of your car accident case.
