Watch out for these whiplash symptoms after a rear-end collision
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after rear-end collisions. But unlike many other types of injuries, the symptoms may not become severe—or even noticeable—for hours, days, or in some cases weeks after a car accident. And while some cases improve within a few weeks using only simple, conservative treatments, others can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, and other long-term effects.
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, it’s important to identify the potential warning signs of whiplash early and seek treatment as soon as possible. Doing so can not only help you protect your long-term health, but strengthen your personal injury claim, too.
Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when your head whips rapidly back and forth. In a typical whiplash injury, muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues that support the head and neck become overextended and stretch or tear. However, more severe whiplash can also cause nerve damage, herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries.
You can probably see why whiplash is so common after rear-end car accidents: Even at relatively low speeds, the sudden and unexpected jolt of car rapidly lurching forward and just as rapidly coming to a stop again can put immense pressure on the tissues, bones, and joints of the head and neck.
People we’ve helped
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
Like many other injuries, whiplash symptoms can vary depending on how severe the damage is. Common signs include:
· Neck pain and soreness
· Stiffness and poor range of motion in the neck
· Headaches, which may originate near the base of the skull
· Muscle spasms
· Tenderness that extends into the shoulder, upper back, and upper arms
· Tingling or prickling sensations
You should also be on the lookout for signs that tend to indicate more severe injuries (including neurological damage), such as:
· Pain that’s especially severe or develops immediately
· Dizziness
· Blurry vision
· Ringing or buzzing in the ears
· Problems with memory or concentration
· Irritability
· Difficulty sleeping
Additionally, if you have any pre-existing history of neck or back pain or degenerative conditions, you’re at greatly increased risk for developing severe injuries after a whiplash accident.
While an insurance company may try to use this history to argue that your injuries were not related to the auto accident, it’s important to understand that your susceptibility to severe injury does not impact liability, and you can still claim damages for treatment of a pre-existing condition that was clearly re-aggravated or accelerated as a direct result of the crash. This is known as the “eggshell rule.”
Do not wait until symptoms become severe to see a doctor. You should always seek treatment immediately after an accident, even if symptoms seem minor. This not only helps you catch problems early, but also helps you build a strong body of evidence linking any injuries you ultimately experience to the crash, and improve your odds of getting a fair settlement.
Diagnostic testing, such a x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can often help a doctor accurately assess the damage, as well as identify (or rule out) related injuries. However, not all cases of whiplash will show up on these kinds of scans, even when pain is present. (Sometimes the tissue damage is too subtle to show up clearly on a diagnostic image.) So, be as specific as you can with your doctor about your symptoms, and make sure they are noted in your medical records.
The good news is that most cases of whiplash are temporary and heal in a few days to a few weeks with conservative treatment options like rest, physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, and pain medications. However, in rare cases more aggressive therapy is required.
RELATED: The Car Accident Guide: What to do if you’re involved in a crash
Filing a personal injury claim
When you file a personal injury claim, do not be tricked into giving any official statements to the insurance company, admitting fault, or accepting the first settlement offer without fully understanding the value of your case and your legal rights. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible—ideally before you start talking with a claims adjuster—can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
You don’t need to have been in a major accident to suffer from whiplash. Minor fender benders in many cases can still easily lead to a few thousand in medical bills or a few weeks of missed work—more than enough to be a major burden for most families.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you accurately calculate how much your case is worth, help you file a claim, and protect your legal rights if the insurance company tries to deny or reduce your claim. The last thing you want to do is accept an offer that’s woefully short of what you need to provide for your long-term medical care and lost wages, because once you settle there are no do-overs.
Attorney Zach Herschensohn is a fighter who has been standing up for injured Washingtonians since 2003. From the smallest to the biggest cases, our team works aggressively to get our clients the full compensation they deserve, whether through settlement or at trial. Your initial consultation is always free—no obligation, no hidden fees, and no cost to you whatsoever unless you win.
If you’re dealing with symptoms of whiplash after an accident, give us a call at (206) 588-4344 or complete our simple contact form to request your free consultation.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
Our results speak for themselves
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.