Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when your head moves suddenly, too quickly, or in a way your neck just can’t handle. Your neck muscles and ligaments stretch or even sprain because of that sudden movement. It usually happens after car accidents, especially rear-end collisions.
Even though it sounds like just a neck thing, whiplash can cause you to suffer neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes nerve problems. And the weird part? You might not feel anything right away. Hours, sometimes even a full day later, pain can still show up. That’s why it’s important to get checked quickly.
If you’re dealing with whiplash or aren’t sure about your injury after a crash, Monge & Associates can help. They know how serious these injuries can be and can advise you on what to do next.
Who Can Get Whiplash?
Indeed, almost anyone can suffer from whiplash. But it’s worse for some people. Older adults (especially those over 65) are more at risk because their muscles and bones aren’t as strong as before.
Females also tend to get more whiplash injuries in crashes. Experts think it’s because of body differences, like spine structure, muscle strength, and even the way car headrests fit shorter necks.
How Whiplash Works
It’s basically physics messing with you. Your body wants to keep moving when a car suddenly stops or speeds up. That’s called inertia.
Your head keeps going while your neck tries to stop it. That quick movement can stretch or tear muscles and ligaments or even hurt bones. Harder crashes cause worse injuries.
Even smaller bumps can sometimes be serious. Your neck isn’t just there to hold your head; it’s a shock absorber for your brain. When that fails, things get painful.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Symptoms can show up right away or take a few days. Common ones include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches starting at the base of your skull
- Muscle spasms in the shoulders or arms
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
Doctors grade whiplash severity using the Quebec Classification:
- Grade 0: No injury, lucky you.
- Grade 1: You feel pain only, maybe a stiff or tender neck.
- Grade 2: There’s pain plus physical signs such as swelling or bruising.
- Grade 3: Pain plus nerve effects: weakness, numbness, tingling.
- Grade 4: Severe injury, maybe broken vertebrae or spinal cord issues.
Other Common Car Accident Injuries
Whiplash isn’t the only thing that can happen. Here are some other injuries you might see:
- Head Injuries: Concussions happen when your brain moves inside your skull. You might feel dizzy or confused. Severe ones can cause long-term problems, but even mild concussions should be checked.
- Neck Fractures: Sometimes the bones in your neck break. This is serious. Nerves can get damaged, or in the worst cases, paralysis can happen.
- Back Injuries: Your back can get hurt, too. Pain might start in your neck and move down to your shoulders or hips.
- Shoulder Injuries: Your shoulder can tear or strain. Moving your arm might really hurt.
- Arm and Leg Injuries: Broken bones, bruises, and sprains happen a lot. Crash force can mess these up fast.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscles, ligaments, or tendons can stretch or tear. You might not see it, but it can hurt a lot.
- Facial Injuries: Hitting your face on the dashboard or debris can bruise, cut, or even break bones.
Treating Whiplash
Some things help a lot:
- Painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Keep moving, even if it hurts a bit
- Cold packs first, then heat after ten days
- Physical therapy
Don’t do things like:
- Using a neck brace for too long doesn’t help
- Resting your neck completely can slow healing
If it’s severe, doctors might suggest stronger medicine or refer you to physical therapists or pain specialists.
Key Takeaways
- Whiplash is among the common injuries that car accident victims face.
- Anyone can suffer a whiplash; however, older adults and females are at a higher risk of it.
- Whiplash has a range of symptoms, from mild stiffness to severe pain and nerve damage.
- Detecting and treating whiplash as soon as possible helps avoid intensifying its impact.
- It is best to hire experienced lawyers to ensure fair compensation.
See Also: What Happens If You Get a Lowball Settlement Offer After a Crash?