Neck Pain After a Car Accident? Learn More About Whiplash
It’s a common story: the driver behind you wasn’t paying attention to the road when you came to a stop, and he or she rammed into you from behind. A few days later, it feels impossible to move your head from side to side. Whiplash is often a consequence from car accidents, and should be taken seriously. Below are some facts you should know about the condition.
Whiplash results from your head being moved back and forth rapidly on your neck—as though your neck were cracking like a whip. This rapid movement can result in chips in the bones in your neck and spine, and even damage to the discs in your spine, as well as injuries to tendons, nerves, ligaments and muscles in your neck. Most people who get whiplash get it from rear-end car accidents, but whiplash can also result from being hit in the head, either with an object or when punched, or while playing a sport.
Even if you walked away from the crash pain-free, you may not be okay. Whiplash can take one or several days to show symptoms. These include neck and shoulder tenderness and swelling, stiffness and soreness in the neck, a limited ability to move your head or neck, dizziness, headaches, and numbness or tingling in your arms. Sometimes, people will experience such symptoms as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, insomnia, depression, and blurred vision.
It’s always a good idea to seek medical attention after a car accident. You may not have fully realized the seriousness of the accident, and the doctor will be able to both diagnose a case of whiplash, as well as determine whether you incurred additional injuries in the crash, such as a concussion, additional sprains, or minor fractures. These diagnoses will be necessary if you wish to recover the costs that resulted from your car accident, and to show the pain you experienced as a result of the accident.
Seeing a doctor will also allow you to learn best how to treat your case of whiplash. If the pain you’re experiencing is serious, the doctor can prescribe pain killers and muscle relaxers. Otherwise, you may be instructed to take over-the-counter pain killers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. You will likely be told to rest your neck, and to use either ice or heat treatment on your neck. While most people will recover within one to three months, some people experience neck pain for months or years.
Ensure that you receive the money you’re owed after an accident in New Jersey by consulting with the skilled personal injury and car accident attorneys at Massood Law Group, LLC by calling 1-844-462-4878.
