The sudden impact of a car accident will often throw a car’s inhabitants forward, or to the side or the back, depending on where the impact hits, and this sudden jolt can cause serious injuries no matter how “crash-proof” your vehicle may be. Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, and the term covers any damage done to the soft tissue of a person’s neck. Whiplash can happen in a variety of ways, but it is incredibly painful, and can lead to long-term complications that affect a person’s ability to work and go about his or her daily life.
Whiplash is caused when your neck snaps suddenly to one side, typically due to a sudden jolt or impact, and then snaps back immediately. This sudden snap can result in strains and sprains to the muscles and tendons in your neck, and can lead to soft tissue injuries. Because of the sudden impact of a car accident, victims of a rear-end collision or car crash are often diagnosed with whiplash.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
People who suffer from whiplash can experience any of the following symptoms:
- Neck pain, either when moving the neck, or when holding the neck still
- Pain in the shoulders, arms, and upper back
- Neck stiffness
- Minimal ability to turn the neck from side to side, or up and down
- Dizziness, disorientation, and headaches
- Blurred vision
- Sleep deprivation and fatigue
- Difficulty remembering things, or trouble concentrating
- Hearing a ringing sound
- Mood swings and depression
Many people who suffer from whiplash report an immediate stiffness or pain in their neck, or a pain that develops shortly after the accident, but not all of the symptoms of whiplash are readily apparent right after a crash. More symptoms can develop over time, so it’s important that car accident victims keep a close eye on how they’re feeling in the days following their accident. Even if an accident was a minor fender bender, a visit to the doctor can help assess any damage that may have been caused, and analyze potential health complications.
Financial Burdens
Most symptoms of whiplash require medical care, which can quickly rack up bills and expenses. Treatments for whiplash may also be expensive, like a neck brace or physical therapy. Whiplash could even cause a person to have to take time off from his job, especially if the work involves heavy lifting, driving, or even extended sitting or standing. All of these financial burdens can put undue strain on someone who has already been through an accident, and can lead to mental or emotional anguish.
At Jackowiak Law Offices, we want to help ease your financial burden in the wake of a car accident. Far too many victims of car crashes find themselves facing mounting medical bills, on top of car repairs and potential lost income due to recovery time. Our Chicago car accident attorneys can help you seek restitution from the responsible drivers, and ease your mind during a difficult time.