When a motor vehicle accident occurs, the neck may experience a sudden and violent jolt in various directions, causing whiplash. In rear-end collisions, the neck is propelled forward and then violently jerked back. In side-impact collisions, the neck is normally propelled away from the impact and back. These types of collisions cause muscles and ligaments in the neck to extend beyond their normal range of motion and result in potentially serious cases of whiplash. These injuries may often damage both the bone structure and soft tissue of the neck, which can cause the injury to range from minor to severe.

In some cases, individuals may find it difficult to determine whether they have a serious whiplash injury or strain. Making an appointment with your doctor will determine the extent of your injuries. With proper medical treatment, some individuals may recover within a couple of days, but the longer a person waits to receive treatment, the more serious the injury may become.

How to Know if You Suffer From Whiplash After a Car Accident?

The aftermath of an accident is chaotic and sometimes overwhelming. Trying to gather information from the over driver, contacting law enforcement, dealing with insurance companies, and assessing your situation may take your attention away from your own health. Regardless of your injuries, it is important to speak with your doctor. Consider the following symptoms of whiplash:

Stiff Neck

One of the first signs of whiplash is when you cannot turn your head from side to side, also known as a stiff neck. When your neck muscles and ligaments strain or sprain in an accident, your neck tenses up and becomes stiff due to muscle spasms. The accident may even jolt your vertebrae out of alignment and cause long-term damage.

Headaches

If your vehicle jolts and you hit your head on the steering wheel or any other object, you may also suffer from a concussion. Damage to the brain, head, and neck all cause symptoms of a headache. A concussion occurs when your brain crashes against your skull, which may happen with a sudden jolt of your vehicle.

Cognitive Issues

Other symptoms impacting brain function may occur due to whiplash, including loss of memory, trouble focusing on tasks, word searching, insomnia, dizziness, and irritability. The neck is a vulnerable area of the body and is extremely important for the body’s range of motion and blood circulation to the head.

Ringing in Ears

Tinnitus, the constant ringing in your ears, occurs when there is severe nerve damage that affects a person’s ability to hear. When whiplash causes nerve damage, an individual will need to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Pain When Chewing

When your neck hyperextends, the motion may misalign your jaw and damage the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and muscles surrounding your neck. Eating, swallowing, and speaking may become challenging for you due to the strain on the jaw and neck.

Whiplash is dangerous and may result in long-term disabilities if not treated. If you believe you may have suffered from whiplash as a result of a car accident, speak with your doctor as soon as possible. They will determine the severity of your injuries and document any treatment needed for a full recovery.

Numbness, tingling, weakness in arms

If you experience any numbness, tingling, shoot pains, or weakness in your arms after a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention as this may be a sign of damage to the soft tissues, nerves, vertebrae, or discs in your neck.

Speak With Marsalisi Law Today for an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

When another person causes you to suffer severe injuries due to their negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for the damages you incur. Medical bills, lost wages, and extended treatment are all expenses that you may be able to recover with experienced legal representation from Marsalisi Law.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Frank P. Marsalisi has the knowledge and resources to provide clients with reliable legal services tailored to their needs. Frank P. Marsalisi hopes to allow his clients a comfortable environment to express their concerns by offering his services in both languages.

Schedule a free consultation today by calling (727) 800-5052 or filling out our contact form.

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