Car Accidents

Whiplash is an injury that car accident victims can suffer. Car accidents are common in the busy city of Las Vegas where roads can be unpredictable. Whiplash usually occurs because of rear-end collisions, though it can be suffered in nearly any kind of vehicle accident.

You can suffer whiplash if your head is jerked forcefully back and forth, resulting in strain and soft tissue damage to the neck. Since the symptoms of this injury may not show up right away, you must recognize early signs to get proper treatment and avoid complications. Also, you should know when to reach out to an Ace Law Group car accident attorney to assess your situation and determine if you have a car accident case. 

What is Whiplash

Whiplash or cervical acceleration-deceleration syndrome results from the neck’s sudden back-and-forth movement. Such rapid motions can result in stretched or torn neck muscles and ligaments. This can lead to symptoms such as stiffness and pain. During a collision, the impact forces are usually to blame, especially if a car is hit from behind. While the injury is usually related to rear-end crashes, it can also happen in side-impact accidents and head-on collisions. 

Whiplash can vary in severity, depending on the speed at which the vehicles involved were running. Other factors that can influence the seriousness of a whiplash injury include the impact’s angle and whether the driver or their passengers were wearing a seatbelt. Sometimes, symptoms of whiplash may be apparent right away. But in others, symptoms may develop hours or days following the car accident. Since whiplash may be hidden, those involved in a crash should be vigilant about keeping track of their health and seek treatment if they notice symptoms. 

Whiplash Symptoms

After a car accident, the adrenaline in your body can mask your pain or discomfort. As a result, recognizing whiplash can be hard. But once the adrenaline wears off, you may start experiencing symptoms such as neck stiffness and pain, dizziness, and headaches. 

Neck pain may be felt in the neck area or radiate to your arms, shoulders, and upper back. Along with this pain, you may feel stiffness, making it hard to turn your head or neck. Also, you may experience headaches that often begin at the skull’s base and spread to the forehead. Other early symptoms of whiplash include being unsteady on your foot and dizziness. 

Keep in mind that while such symptoms are common, whiplash can present other symptoms. Some people who have whiplash may experience numbness or tingling in their hands and arms, blurred vision, fatigue, and problems concentrating. Since the symptoms of whiplash tend to vary, you should not dismiss unusual feelings following a car crash. 

Why Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Since the symptoms of whiplash can be delayed or subtle, you should seek immediate medical attention after a car accident. A doctor can thoroughly examine you, including conducting imaging studies and physical tests to evaluate the injury’s extent and determine the most appropriate treatment. 

To prevent long-term complications, early diagnosis should be done. When left untreated, whiplash can result in chronic pain, limited range of motion, and continuous discomfort that can make it hard or impossible to carry out daily activities. In addition, you may develop conditions such as chronic whiplash, causing neurological symptoms that may last for months or years. 

Typically, doctors recommend rest, ice, or heat therapy, physical therapy, and pain medications for whiplash. Sometimes, patients may have to wear a cervical collar for neck support during the healing process. With physical therapy, you can regain strength and flexibility in your neck muscles, preventing future issues.