What Is Whiplash Anyway? Colorado Car Accident Attorneys Explain
Whiplash causes range from car accidents to slips on the ice and everything in between. What is whiplash, what tissues in the body are damaged by a whiplash injury, and most importantly, how should it be treated? We are here to help explain.
What Causes A Whiplash Injury?
In a rear-end accident, during the initial impact, the torso is pushed forward, followed by the neck and head. This happens in just the first 50 to 100 milliseconds (ms) of the accident. In the next 100 to 200 ms, the lower part of the neck extends backward while the upper part flexes forward and then accelerates backward again, where it is (hopefully) stopped by the headrest. Finally, there is another change in direction where the head and neck are thrown forward, this time stopped by a seat belt or airbag. All of this happens in about 350 ms, roughly the same amount of time it takes to blink an eye.
Several types of incidents can also cause whiplash injuries. Some of the most common whiplash injury causes include the following:
- Amusement park rides
- Assault
- Car accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Sports accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Truck accidents
What Tissue Does A Whiplash Injury Affect?
The most common medical term used to describe a whiplash injury is “cervical sprain/strain.” This refers to injuries to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the neck and upper back. Muscles are what move the bones and joints in the body. Muscles tend to be fairly elastic, while ligaments, which hold the bones together around a joint, tend not to stretch much at all. Muscles are attached to bones by tendons, and the term “strain” is used to describe an injury to a tendon or muscle, while a “sprain” typically refers to an injury to a ligament or joint.
Both strains and sprains are graded on a scale of 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe). How quickly your injuries heal depends on the severity of your injury and the treatment you receive. Of course, not all car accidents are the same. The age and size of the vehicles involved, a raised or lowered headrest, and road conditions all play a role. Differences in the age, health, and physical build of the people in an accident mean that a single accident can cause one person to suffer injuries while the person sitting next to them is relatively unharmed.
What Are The Symptoms Of Whiplash?
Whiplash injury symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some individuals may develop symptoms shortly after their accident, while others may not experience symptoms for a day or two. Whiplash symptoms can include bowel and bladder issues, trouble sleeping, irritability, and fatigue, making it hard to perform routine tasks. Other common whiplash symptoms affect specific body parts, including your head, brain, neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms.
Common whiplash symptoms affecting your head or mind include the following:
- Blurred vision
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Lack of concentration
- Loss of memory/memory recall issues
- Tinnitus
Common whiplash symptoms affecting your neck include the following:
- Reduced range of motion
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
Common whiplash symptoms affecting your shoulders, upper back, and arms include the following:
- Arm numbness
- Arm pain or tenderness
- Shoulder pain or tenderness
- Upper back pain or tenderness
In every case, victims who believe they have suffered a whiplash injury should seek medical attention and speak to an attorney to find out whether they can pursue a car accident whiplash settlement.
How Is Whiplash Diagnosed?
Whiplash is diagnosed by a healthcare professional. The first step of the diagnosis procedure typically involves many questions posed by the doctor in an effort to determine the precise cause of the injury and its location. The doctor will then conduct a physical exam involving range-of-motion tests, strength tests, and other probative measures.
Diagnosing whiplash may also involve imaging and other similar tests, such as CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs.
What’s The Best Treatment For Whiplash?
With over one million reports of whiplash after car accidents each year, medical professionals spend considerable time helping victims recover.
The ultimate goal in most cases is:
- Pain control
- Restored range of motion
- Return to normal activities
The specific goals in your case will depend on the severity of your injury.
Whiplash treatment often involves:
- Plenty of rest
- Application of heat and cold
- Over-the-counter pain meds
- Prescription pain meds
- Muscle relaxants
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Alternative treatments
Many of the treatment decisions made by doctors are influenced by the precise location of the whiplash damage and the extent of the injury. For example, a whiplash injury of the upper neck might require different treatment than one of the upper back.
What Should I Avoid If I Suffer Whiplash?
You should avoid playing sports or engaging in activities that require you to twist your neck or could jar your neck or shoulders. Other activities you should avoid include the following:
- Driving: Safe driving requires drivers to twist their necks to check for other vehicles when changing lanes or backing up.
- Limiting your mobility: Sitting still for too long can cause your muscles to tighten and delay healing.
- Reaching above your head: Any activities that involve raising your arms above your head can aggravate injuries to your shoulders or neck.
- Relying on a brace: Wearing a brace protects you while you heal, but wearing it too long can prevent your muscles from regaining strength and healing.
Can I Sue The Other Driver For My Whiplash Injury?
Yes. You can sue for economic and non-economic damages after a car accident. Speaking with a car accident lawyer in Colorado is the first step toward maximizing your whiplash settlement. You have three years to file a lawsuit for a car accident injury in Colorado and two years for most other personal injuries.
Contact A Colorado Car Accident Lawyer Today
Coping with the impact of an injury can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. You should contact the personal injury lawyers with Bachus & Schanker and schedule your free consultation today. We don’t charge fees until we win your case, ensuring finances won’t keep you from receiving expert legal guidance after your accident.
Whether you need a car accident lawyer in Colorado, a slip-and-fall attorney, or a catastrophic injury lawyer, our legal team stands by to answer your questions and provide the legal help you need.
Sources:
Freeman, M., et al. (2020). Estimating the number of traffic crash-related cervical spine injuries in the United States; An analysis and comparison of national crash and hospital data.
