If you were recently involved in a rear-end collision, there is a good chance that you have suffered from a "whiplash" injury. What is whiplash? It is a type of neck injury that is caused by the forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. It earned its name because of the way the injury mimics the cracking of a whip.
While whiplash most often occurs with a rear-end auto accident, it can also result from physical violence, contact sports, amusement park rides, or from another kind of trauma. Even shaken baby syndrome can lead to a whiplash injury.
Common signs of whiplash, include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Neck pain
- Blurred vision
- Memory problems
- Stiffness in the neck
- Sleep problems
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty moving the neck
- Numbness and tingling in the arms
In less serious cases, whiplash injuries heal after a course of chiropractic treatments, pain medication, exercise and other treatments. Usually, great relief can be experienced within a two or three months with the right treatment and care.
Not all cases of whiplash resolve quickly. Some accident victims experience chronic neck pain and other continuous complications. While it's difficult to accurately predict the outcome, generally when there is a rapid onset of symptoms including: severe neck pain, headaches, and pain that radiates to the arms, there is a higher probability of chronic pain.
The consequences of a whiplash injury range from mild pain that lasts a few days or months, to a severe disability. It is estimated that around 50% of people will experience some lingering symptoms.
Whiplash injuries can occur at speeds of 15 miles per hour or less. The higher the speed, the more bones, discs, muscles and tendons in the neck and upper back are damaged. Serious whiplash injuries can lead to TMJ, and quadriplegia.
Whiplash injuries can be very painful and debilitating, they can affect your ability to sleep, work, and perform your daily tasks. If you have suffered from a whiplash injury in an auto accident, or due to another cause, contact our Bergen County Personal Injury Attorney, Brandon J. Broderick today!