Residents of Washington may not be completely familiar with what actually causes whiplash and what the side effects may be. An individual typically suffers whiplash whenever trauma to the neck is sustained. This most often occurs in vehicle accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. If the neck suddenly jolts back and forth, it is probable that the individual has whiplash and may experience dizziness, headaches, dull and aching pain in the neck, back pain or a number of other symptoms.
Whiplash may also include cervical sprains or strains and hyper-extension injuries. It does not necessarily occur in just high-speed traffic accidents; whiplash can happen in low-speed accidents as well because it is still possible for the neck to be jolted back and forth. An individual who has the condition may not recognize symptoms until two or three days afterward.
If a person has whiplash after being injured in a collision and has hired a personal injury attorney to assist in settling a claim, one of the first suggestions the attorney might make is to refer them to a medical specialist. This can include a chiropractor or neurologist who may execute a specific treatment plan in order to prevent further damage to the neck and correct the existing injury. The recovery time and treatment plans may vary because the extent of whiplash differs among individuals.
Because auto injuries are commonly associated with whiplash, an attorney may utilize any available police reports of the accident to build a case that the whiplash was caused by the liable driver. If a whiplash injury requires ongoing treatment, the attorney might be able to assist the client in recovering compensation for medical treatment that is necessary for the client’s full recovery.
Source: American Chiropractic Association , “Whiplash”, accessed on Jan. 10, 2015