Whiplash
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Is Whiplash a Neck Injury?
Whiplash is an injury to your neck but it can be so much more. It can also cause a brain injury. It is a common injury in car accidents, occurring when the neck and head are thrown about forcefully beyond the normal speed and range of motion. Whiplash typically results in soft tissue injuries in the neck, and since the brain is like an egg int eh shell of a skull, it can cause injuries that can be long-lasting and painful.
Whiplash can cause injury of the:
- Ligaments, tendons, muscles of the neck
- Neck bones
- Brain
How It Happens
Rear end collisions are a common cause of whiplash injuries and serve as a good example of how they can occur. When a vehicle is struck from behind, the vehicle lurches forward suddenly. The acceleration causes the head and neck of all occupants to jerk suddenly back and forth, subjecting its tissues to tremendous forces. The ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the head, neck, back, and elsewhere are stretched, compressed, or both. The brain rebounds in the skull. Even at low speeds, the force of a car accident is far beyond what the body deals with under most circumstances.
Resulting Symptoms
The symptoms can vary, depending on the type and severity of the injury. Soft tissue injuries can be difficult to detect in medical tests, so make sure you let your doctor know where you hurt. Many times, doctors will not even consider the possibility of brain injury if there was no impact to the head.
After your accident, look to identify the potentially serious injuries:
- Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, or spine
- Back pain
- Pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms
- Loss of motion in the neck or back
- Vision problems
- Dizziness or headaches
- Fatigue, depression, and anxiety
- Ringing ears
- Jaw pain
- Sudden sleepiness, daytime fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep
- Sudden anger, moodiness, or changes in personality
- Memory loss or difficulty concentrating
Whiplash and Insurance
Because it can be hard to document and may last for years, whiplash injury sufferers are often accused of “faking” their injuries or “malingering.” Both your insurance company and that of the responsible driver may deny your injury claims, forcing you to pay medical bills out of pocket while you are unable to work. We know how to help you show that your injury is real and seek due compensation.
If you or someone you love has suffered whiplash or any type of serious injury due to a car accident in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, please email or call the skilled car accident attorneys of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. today.
