The Dangers of Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained after a rear-end collision, yet it is often not immediately apparent. Many whiplash injuries are not serious, and after a few days or a week of soreness, the situation resolves itself. It is this underestimation of whiplash that often keeps people from seeking medical attention when they need it. Whiplash also comes at a high cost; costs related to whiplash can reach $30 billion a year in the United States, for medical care, disability, sick leave, lost productivity, and litigation expenses. While most cases of whiplash are not serious and resolve with time, whiplash can occasionally mean serious injury to the spine, sometimes even permanent. This is why it is important if you have been in a rear-end collision to seek medical attention immediately after the accident, even if you are not sure you need it. Allow a doctor to decide.
 
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash happens when your head is whipped back and forth as a result of an external impact. It can affect your vertebrae, your cervical disks, or your joints, ligaments, muscles, or tendons. It is not always easy to prove the extent of whiplash injuries, especially when they do not set in immediately. Insurance companies are well aware of the issues surrounding whiplash claims, and do everything possible to limit paying out for whiplash claims, even denying such claims outright sometimes.
 
Whiplash, when it does finally set in, can result in weakness, numbness, or tingling in various parts of the body. It can also cause dizziness. Chiropractic care, massage, physical therapy, and in some cases surgery can be required to treat the condition. The most serious cases of whiplash are those that seem minor at first, but end up leading to debilitating conditions as a result of spinal injuries or injuries to the cervical disk(s).
 
How is Whiplash Treated?
There are a variety of ways whiplash can be treated, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Less serious whiplash injuries often resolve after a period of rest and keeping the neck immobilized. Sometimes injuries caused by whiplash require epidural injections, nerve root block injections, or rhizotomy injections, to help alleviate pain. In more severe cases, cervical discectomy and/or fusion might be required to relieve the intense pain.
 
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
Again, the nature and severity of the whiplash differs in each situation, depending on the accident that led to the injury. Any numbness, tingling, or weakness anywhere in the body is a sign of nerve damage, which can lead to an extended period of time in recovery. Severe damage to the cervical area of the spine can lead to extreme complications, including paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, loss of sensation, and even potentially loss of continence. Even less serious whiplash injuries can cause any of these problems on a smaller scale, as well as restrict your range of motion and cause discomfort.
Call Naqvi Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one is suffering as a result of an accident and you think it might be whiplash, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You must understand the extent of your injury and protect your rights of recovery. Insurance companies often act very aggressively when it comes to whiplash, cervical injuries, and spinal cord injuries, understanding how complicated these cases can become. We will act just as forcefully to protect your rights and make sure you are fairly compensated for all of the damages you are entitled to under Nevada law. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Naqvi Injury Law are standing by to help you. Call or email us today for your no obligation consultation.