One of the most common soft tissue injuries you can suffer in a car accident is whiplash. Although people can think of whiplash as a minor injury, it can vary in degrees, with the most severe forms of it potentially causing lasting pain and stiffness.
If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a collision because of another party’s negligence, you may have legal options. Learn more about this type of injury and what you can expect if you pursue a personal injury claim.
Understanding Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your head whips backward and forward rapidly as a result of sudden acceleration or deceleration. This strains your neck muscles. It can take some time for the symptoms to start because swelling is what causes the majority of them. But that swelling is not always immediate.
When the symptoms do start, you might feel:
- Tiredness
- Loss of range of motion
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Dizziness
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Headaches
- Trouble turning your head
Some people can also experience trouble focusing, irritability, and even vision issues.
Grades of Whiplash Injury
The severity of the whiplash injury plays a role in the level and duration of your pain.
Grade 1
A Grade 1 whiplash injury is the mildest of these and causes pain when moving your head or when someone touches the site of the injury. Grade 1 whiplash injuries can also present with muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, and mild headaches. Recovery from a Grade 1 injury typically takes a few days to a few weeks with proper rest and pain management.
Grade 2
Once the injury progresses to Grade 2, you can also experience pain that radiates to your head, back, shoulders, and face. You may also notice bruising in the area, swelling, and even muscle spasms. If you experience these more severe symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. A healthcare professional can accurately diagnose the extent of your injury and recommend the appropriate treatment plan.
Grade 3
A Grade 3 whiplash injury can involve neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, headaches, burning, hoarseness, vision issues, and dizziness. Additionally, a Grade 3 whiplash injury often presents with significant limitations in neck movement and increased pain compared to Grade 1 and 2 injuries.
The presence of neurological symptoms in Grade 3 injuries indicates potential nerve involvement, which can lead to longer recovery times and more complex treatment plans. It is crucial to seek immediate medical evaluation for a Grade 3 whiplash injury to prevent long-term complications.
Grade 4
A Grade 4 injury is the most severe and can involve all of the above symptoms with greater intensity and longer duration. This highest grade of whiplash often includes a fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine. Such severe structural damage can lead to chronic pain, significant neurological deficits, and long-term disability.
Immediate medical intervention, potentially including surgery, is crucial for Grade 4 injuries to stabilize the spine, alleviate pressure on nerves, and improve the chances of recovery. Rehabilitation for Grade 4 whiplash can be extensive and may involve prolonged physical therapy, pain management, and occupational therapy to regain function and manage ongoing symptoms.
What Accidents Cause Whiplash?
Whiplash often results from car accidents, especially when a driver was speeding. Roller coasters can sometimes cause whiplash, as can certain types of contact sports, such as football.
Anyone can suffer this injury, but some people are more at risk than others. Older adults and females tend to experience whiplash more often. Girls and women have less muscle tissue than males, so they tend not to have as much natural shock absorption.
Additionally, car seat headrests are designed to prevent the head from moving too far back, but they are made for men’s average heights. The headrests can end up affecting women differently.
Can I Recover Compensation for a Whiplash Injury?
If you have suffered a whiplash injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct, one of the legal options you may have is to file a personal injury claim. After a vehicle accident, you may begin by filing an insurance claim and then pursue a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
In the majority of instances, you will need to prove that negligence occurred. This means that the other party owed you a duty of responsibility that they breached, causing your injuries. The injuries must be compensable, meaning that there were damages as a result of the injury that can be assigned a monetary value.
If you can prove these things, you may be able to get compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, physical pain and emotional suffering, and any other losses caused by the injury.
An example would be if you were in a distracted driving accident. The other party owed you a duty of care to drive safely and lawfully. By being distracted behind the wheel, they failed in this responsibility. If you sustained a whiplash injury that requires medical attention, then you can file a claim or lawsuit.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Metairie Personal Injury Attorney at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you have sustained a whiplash injury because of another party’s conduct, it’s essential to consider filing a civil action against them. You may be entitled to significant compensation to address your losses.
At Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have 26 years of combined experience representing people who have sustained losses in accidents. We have the knowledge and skill to help you build a case seeking the compensation you deserve.
Contact our team at (504) 323-6000 to schedule a no-cost initial consultation with a Metairie personal injury lawyer today.