What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when you are suddenly thrown forward or backward with great force, causing the lower bones in your neck to become hyper-extended and the upper bones to become hyper-flexed. A whiplash injury is also known as an acceleration/deceleration injury. When the neck is forced into this unnatural curved position, soft tissues, including the ligaments, muscles, and facet capsules, may be damaged. If the brain is sufficiently whipped back and forth inside the skull, it may also result in a mild traumatic brain injury.
While likely not life-threatening, whiplash is painful and often expensive to treat. If you or a loved one is the victim of an accident that resulted in whiplash, contact Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., to see how we can help!
What Causes Whiplash?
Car accidents are a common cause of whiplash injuries; typically, rear-impact collisions where a victim is in a non-moving vehicle and is hit from the back and thrown forward. However, any type of accident where a person experiences a sudden, sharp movement of the head or neck can be a potential cause of whiplash.
What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
The following symptoms may indicate when someone is suffering from whiplash:
- Neck discomfort and stiffness
- Headaches
- Pain and stiffness in the shoulders
- Fatigue
- A feeling of being dizzy
- Arm pain or weakness
- Pain in the jaw (TMJ)
- Eye problems or visual disturbances
- Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- Discomfort or pain in your back
Diagnosing whiplash can prove challenging because there are no conclusive medical tests for the condition. In other words, X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic devices may not be able to pinpoint that you have whiplash.
On top of physical pain, whiplash can result in depression, anxiety, anger, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dependency on painkillers. Sometimes people suffer from these whiplash symptoms for a long time or on an ongoing basis, despite treatment efforts. Those with whiplash may be limited in their ability to work or unable to work at all. In addition, whiplash can prevent victims from doing their routine activities or things that they enjoy.
Other Resources:
- Rear-End Accidents. Accidents where you are hit from behind are an extremely common cause of whiplash.
- Temporomandibular Joint Injuries (TMJ). TMJ injuries are caused by the same forces that cause Whiplash injuries. They sometimes accompany whiplash injuries.
- MIST Claims. Allstate Insurance labels car accidents with low visible damage to the vehicle and whiplash injuries as “MIST” claims or minor impact, soft tissue claims.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries. Mild TBI symptoms can overlap with whiplash injury symptoms.
Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Can Handle Your Whiplash Lawsuit
If you have experienced a whiplash injury, you may be able to seek legal compensation from the person or entity that caused your accident and resulting injuries. A whiplash lawsuit may help you get the compensation you deserve, depending on the cause and circumstances surrounding your whiplash injury.
To learn more about whiplash lawsuits, contact Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., today to schedule a free consultation with a Houston personal injury attorney. We represent injured whiplash victims throughout the greater Houston area, and clients pay only if we win!