A car crash can result in injuries ranging from mild to serious and even critical. If you are fortunate enough to avoid serious injuries in a car crash, you may still be left to deal with the more moderate injuries. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries experienced by drivers involved in a car crash. If you suffer such an injury, you may be confused as to whether or not you can recover compensatory damages for it.
The good news is that it is actually possible to receive damages for a whiplash injury. However, you must first understand what a whiplash injury is and how do you recover from it.
What is Whiplash?
If you have suffered a car crash, it is very likely that your vehicle suddenly came to a stop during the crash. This may be because you applied the brakes too hard to prevent a collision. Or it may simply be a result of hitting another object, such as a car or the guardrail.
In any case, when your vehicle stops all too suddenly, you are very likely to experience a sudden forward jolt of your head and then back. As the movement of a whip, this movement is very fast. And it may result in damage to the ligaments and tendons in the neck area.
The severity of a whiplash injury varies significantly from driver to driver. This is because it also depends on the angle of your neck when the whiplash occurred, your speed at the time, and your readiness. Some whiplash injuries may even occur at speeds as low as 10 mph. In other instances, you may not experience a whiplash even when you run into a crash at a fairly high speed.
How to Identify Whiplash?
A whiplash injury is easy to detect, however, it is not immediately obvious. In fact, most whiplash injuries typically take up to 24 hours to be known. The common symptoms you can expect from a whiplash include:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck and adjoining muscle groups
- Severe neck pain
- Weariness and fatigue
- Blurred vision or dizziness
- Irritability and sleep problems
- Chronic pain in the shoulders and neck
All of these are indications that you have suffered a whiplash. If you start experiencing any of these symptoms after a car crash, it is important to see a physician at the earliest. A physician will help locate the nature, severity and extent of the whiplash. In some cases, additional tests such as X-ray, MRI or CT scan may be required for a diagnosis.
How is Whiplash Treated?
Physicians typically use a standard regimen to treat whiplash injuries. Such a regimen relies on three main things:
- Rest. When the neck pain from whiplash is severe, especially in the days immediately after the injury, a doctor may recommend you to use a neck collar. This is to ensure maximum rest and stability for the neck area. However, it is important not to overuse the collar. It is typically recommended not to use one for more than three hours at a time.
- Medication. To help you with the pain associated with a whiplash injury, your doctor may recommend you to use over-the-counter pain medication such as aspirin. If the whiplash injury is more serious, the physician may even prescribe painkillers.
- Therapy. Physical therapy is another key component of recovering from a whiplash injury. You can use simple exercises to relieve neck muscles and build up strength.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
The time required to recover from a whiplash injury depends on its severity. Most whiplash injuries take anywhere between a few weeks and a few months to heal. On average, the recovery process takes about 2 to 3 months. However, some whiplash injuries may take a year or even more to heal.
Hiring a Reliable Atlanta Car Crash Lawyer
If you have suffered whiplash or any other injuries in a car crash in Atlanta, we can help you. Here at Ted Greve & Associates, we have been working with car crash victims for a long time. Our firm has professionals with expertise in both medicine and law. This enables us to help you make informed decisions regarding your crash-related injuries. Our qualified attorneys also provide you an estimate of the damages you can expect to recover for your specific injuries. Message us today to book a free consultation.
