Whiplash is one of the most common injuries suffered in many South Florida car accidents, especially rear-end shunt collisions. The sudden force of an impact can throw your head around in a way that causes soft tissue injuries to the neck area.
Since whiplash can be painful and can result in medical expenses and lost time at work, you may wish to consult with a South Florida car accident claims attorney about your situation. Find out whether you have a claim by contacting Flaxman Law Group today for a free consultation.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that affects the neck. It’s common in a car accident because the sudden back-and-forth movement that can happen in a crash can cause damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck.
Whiplash symptoms don’t always appear right away, and they can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include:
- Stiffness and mobility problems
- Pain or “pins and needles” sensations that can spread to the shoulders, back, and arms
- Numbness and muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Bruising and swelling
- Vision problems
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Neurological issues or cognitive problems
Recovering From Whiplash After a Car Collision
Your healing process will depend on the severity of your injuries. The sooner you can start treatment, the sooner you can start healing, so it’s important to get a full evaluation after any car accident so you can get a proper diagnosis. Too often, passengers and drivers feel “fine” after a collision but develop symptoms later. Getting to a doctor immediately can help you start treatment and get secure documentation proving your injuries were caused by a car crash.
A doctor will usually diagnose whiplash through physical and neurological exams, X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. This will help a physician determine the severity of the injury as well.
Depending on the injury, treatment may include:
- Immobilizing the neck with a neck brace or collar
- Medications, including pain management, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxant medication
- Physical and exercise therapy
- Cold and hot compresses
- Rest
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
- Radiofrequency nerve ablation
- Spine surgery
There is no cure for whiplash, and outcomes vary widely. Some patients make a full recovery while others face pain, mobility issues, and cognitive problems for a long time or even face permanent complications.
In addition, treatment for whiplash can be expensive, especially with a severe injury, which is why it’s so important to protect your right to compensation if you’ve been injured. Fair compensation can help replace lost income and can pay for car repair and other bills as well as quality medical treatment.
To find out more about what kind of financial recovery you may qualify for, contact Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 for a free consultation with a South Florida car accident claims attorney. Our family-based, boutique law firm has offices in Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood and we’ve already secured over $100 million in court wins and settlements for our clients. Let’s discuss what might be possible in your potential case.