Whiplash is a common injury motorists can suffer after a crash. For some reason, whiplash has a reputation for being a minor injury which people should easily overcome. In our experience, whiplash is one of the most disabling injuries motorists can suffer. Our clients have struggled to get back to work when they feel such intense pain, and many cannot sleep comfortably.
Below, a Des Moines car accident lawyer delves into whiplash in greater detail. Call Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. if you suffered a neck injury and need legal help with an insurance claim. We are available 24/7 for our clients and will gladly travel to meet you from our offices in Waterloo and Iowa City, if required.
How Whiplash Happens
We see this injury in many rear-end accidents. Imagine a person waiting at a red light. Coming up from behind is a distracted driver looking at her cell phone. She doesn’t even see the car stopped in front of her or even the red light, so she drives straight into the car.
The initial jolt will send the motorists forward. In fact, their heads can stretch very far forward, perhaps beyond what is normal, before rebounding back in a fast, whip-like fashion. This is where whiplash gets its name—the head moves forwards and backwards like the tip of a whip when it is cracked.
Sometimes, whiplash can happen in a side-to-side fashion, too, so you might suffer this injury in a T-bone collision. But rear-end accidents are by far the more common situation.
Why Whiplash Hurts
This violent motion will damage all sorts of soft tissue in the neck and upper back: muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. This soft tissue can be stretched too far and sometimes tear into two pieces Consequently, blood will rush to the damaged area, putting additional pressure on nerves and leading to aching pain.
In extreme cases, vertebrae in the neck can get displaced. This is a dramatic injury which puts constant pressure on nerve roots and possibly the spinal cord itself. You will need immediate medical intervention to keep the condition from worsening.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common whiplash symptoms are:
- Neck soreness and stiffness
- Wincing pain when you try to move your head
- Numbness in your hands and arms
- Increased fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches which start at the bae of the neck
- Double vision
- Trouble focusing
It’s not unusual for whiplash to be paired with a concussion. The violent whip-like shaking can also damage the brain, leading to many of the same impairments. With a concussion, however, you are more likely to struggle with impaired memory and difficulty moving all your limbs and not simply your head.
Whiplash Treatment
Your treatment will depend on the severity of the whiplash. When the vertebrae are damaged, you might need surgery to put everything back into place and hold it there. Go to the hospital if you notice any whiplash symptoms or have any pain in your neck.
Less dramatic whiplash is still painful and requires medical intervention. Once upon a time, doctors would try to immobilize a person’s neck with a big, foam neck brace. Today, the goal is to get pain and inflammation under control, often with injections or medication. As soon as possible, you should reintroduce movement to the head, possibly with some light neck massage. Ultimately, victims need to wait for soft tissue to heal on its own.
Pain is the most common problem with whiplash, but it is also hard to sleep. You might need pain medication and sleeping pills to get through the day and night. When pain is disabling, some victims also struggle with irritability or even depression.
How Whiplash Interrupts Your Life
While struggling to recover from whiplash, most people need some down time. It’s hard to work if you can’t even move your head even a little. Your doctor will probably recommend rest at home. As a result, many of our clients will immediately start losing income because they can’t go into work. They might even get fired from their jobs.
Many whiplash victims can’t even spend time with their friends and families like they used to. It could be months before you feel your normal self. Although whiplash is not typically life threatening, it is majorly disruptive for most people.
Good News: You Can Seek Compensation
Call Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. if you were involved in an accident. We are experienced Des Moines car accident lawyers who can review whether you can bring a claim against a driver for your whiplash.
We have won settlements for clients injured in rear-end collisions, rollovers, and other common accidents. The critical issue is whether someone is at-fault for the crash. We need evidence the other driver failed to be careful. We often rely on witness testimony, including your own testimony of what happened. Other key pieces of evidence include dash cam or other video, as well as physical damage to the cars which shows how they collided.
We seek damages for all types of losses:
- Medical treatment, including surgical expenses, rehabilitation, prescription drugs, and other treatment.
- Lost wages or income if you weren’t able to work as you recovered from whiplash.
- Damage to your vehicle suffered in a rear end collision or other accident.
- Pain and suffering, along with mental distress.
Don’t let an insurance adjuster minimize the pain you feel. Instead, call our offices. A Des Moines car accident lawyer can jump in to review the facts and begin finding additional pieces for your case.
Suffered Whiplash? Call Us
Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. is home to a team of dedicated Des Moines car accident lawyers who have one goal in mind: to win compensation for our clients in a car accident settlement. We have obtained millions for men and women struggling with whiplash and other common injuries. You owe it to yourself to hire an experienced firm to represent you in settlement talks with a driver or their insurance company. Call us to schedule a consultation.