Whiplash is caused by a rapid back-and-forth motion, which damages the soft tissue, nerves, muscle fibers, and ligaments of the cervical spine. Whiplash is often equated to the “cracking of a whip,” with the violent movement causing agonizing neck pain for victims. Symptoms commonly present as headaches, neck pain or stiffness, and tingling in the arms. Even at a low speed, whiplash can occur. Although a temporary condition, symptoms can be incapacitating, forcing you to tend to your injury and forgo prior obligations.
At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, our legal team knows that even individuals involved in a minor accident can have substantial damages. If you have experienced whiplash or any other injuries in a low-impact crash, do not hesitate to reach out to our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury caused by force placed on the cervical spine (neck). Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, although any activity that causes sudden movement changes can result in whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head, neck, and rest of the spine move at different speeds.
Your neck acts like a shock absorber for your head, minimizing the movement of the brain against the skull. Albeit this task results in the neck enduring most of the force, with some individuals experiencing extreme pain and even neurological complications.
How is Whiplash Treated?
Whiplash is known as a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that physicians will diagnose you with whiplash once they have ruled out other conditions. An MRI, CT scan, or X-ray may help to confirm your doctor’s diagnosis. Treatment may involve having the patient wear a C-collar to keep their head and neck in alignment, preventing movement.
Heat and cold therapy are often recommended, as well as medications to manage pain. In more severe cases, radiofrequency nerve ablation may be ordered to stop the nerves in the neck from sending pain signals to the brain.
Medical Costs for Chronic Whiplash
Vehicle occupants should adjust their headrest so that it is appropriately positioned and should always wear their seat belt. However, this may only mitigate the risk of whiplash, not wholly prevent it. For some injured parties, whiplash may have long-lasting effects, requiring that more extreme measures be explored.
The medical expenses associated with treating whiplash over an extended period can be exorbitant. In addition to all this, you may be unable to work for extended periods, resulting in a significant loss of income.
Whiplash most commonly occurs in rear-end collisions. There are several reasons for a rear-end crash, but distraction is a significant cause. Whereas the other driver may walk away with minor or no injuries, you may be forced to exchange your surfboard for a backboard. Although some accident-incurred losses are tangible, others may have no inherent value but impact your life forever.
An experienced car accident lawyer will possess the negotiation skills to reach a mutually agreeable settlement with the insurance company. Even though no amount of money can give you back the freedom you once had, it can be a starting point to help make you “whole.”
Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney Today
Even a low-impact crash can cause whiplash, impeding a once healthy person from performing their everyday tasks. Nobody should bear the brunt of medical expenses associated with an accident caused by another person’s carelessness.
At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, our Pennsylvania car accident lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a whiplash injury can have on a person. To schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team, call (717) 229-6580 or contact us online.