What is whiplash, and how is it treated?

No one expects to be in a car accident, least of all when they’re obeying the rules of the road. In your case, you were heading out of town to a wedding when you came to a four-way stop. You thought everything was fine, and you knew it was your turn to go. Despite that, the vehicle to your left pulled out and hit the side of your vehicle.

At first, you thought you were fine, but over the next 24 hours, you developed a headache. When you went to the doctor, you found out you’d developed whiplash from the impact. Your head was thrown quickly from side to side, and you suffered strains as a result.

Fortunately, most cases of whiplash do not have lasting consequences. It’s typically an injury caused by a rear impact, but it can also be caused by side impacts that whip your head to the side and back quickly.

Treating whiplash can be simple, but for those with severe whiplash, treatment may consist of months or years of physical therapy or even surgery to repair ligaments and tendons. Usually, early range-of-motion exercises are enough to speed up recovery.

Whiplash causes a number of symptoms including headaches, dizziness and soreness when turning the head or using the neck. You may also have suffered a concussion, especially if the impact was at a high speed or if you hit your head on the wheel or window as a result of the crash.

If you have whiplash, it’s important to seek out compensation. Your treatments may be extended, and the person responsible for the collision should be held accountable.

Source: Medicine Net, “Whiplash,” Jason C. Eck, DO, MS, accessed June 06, 2017

Author Matt Boulton

Attorney Matt Boulton is an award-winning personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience helping seriously injured people throughout Indiana. He designed his firm for the client who expects exceptional service and passionate, successful legal representation.

• Share
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn