Neck pain from a car accident may be the result of whiplash, also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder (or WAD). WAD is caused by a sudden jolting that occurs in the shoulders and the neck, most often a result of automobile accidents.
Car accidents are a traumatic event. In a rear-end accident, the force caused by the impact propels your body forward with your head lagging a split second behind. The inertia from the impact moves throughout the body, causing a rubber banding affect that results in whip lash. In that instant your ligaments, muscles, and tendons can become torn.
If you are unsure about your legal rights and need advice from a whiplash / neck injury lawyer, contact The Law Offices of David M. Gabriel and Associates to discuss your rights.
Whiplash is tricky to identify, because the symptoms may take days to appear after an accident. One reason symptoms may be delayed is due to adrenaline and cortisol release after a collision. These hormones mask pain and cause a numbing effect that may last well beyond the collision. Once these pain numbing hormones leave your system, the true damage that has been caused remains. These injuries may require medical treatment. The symptoms you experience may range from mildly annoying and irritating to severe and disabling.
Common Whiplash Symptoms of WAD
• Tinnitus: Also known as a constant ringing in your ears
• Discomfort caused by back pain
• Issues with your vision including blurred vision
• Vomiting or dizziness
• A pronounced weakness in both or one of your arms
• Soreness or pain felt in your jaw
• Shoulder stiffness or pain
• Neck stiffness or pain
Delayed Symptoms of WAD
Some symptoms will be delayed in their expression, so you should always accept medical care from paramedics. If it is the opinion of a paramedic that you need to go to an emergency room for an evaluation, do not turn it down. It is not uncommon for an emergency room doctor to order a CAT scan or MRI scan for a victim of an accident. ER doctors are familiar with the effects of cortisol and adrenaline on the body, and will order these scans to be certain that there are no issues of torn or sprained ligaments, tendons, or muscles.
Make treating your injuries your first priority. Start building your whiplash personal injury claim from the beginning, by seeking medical attention after an accident. If paramedics are not dispatched to the site of your collision, it is up to you to seek medical attention. Do not delay in seeking appropriate timely medical treatment.
The Importance of Collecting Documentation Regarding the Medical Process
You should gather and retain any and all documentation you are given by your medical providers regarding whiplash. Medical documentation should include any and all information regarding the emergency room admission including the entry forms, x-rays, medical charts, CT scans, blood tests, MRIs, and notes from the doctor.
You should also have additional records detailing follow-up treatment ordered by your doctor as well as continued tests and records showing your prognosis. All of this is confusing, which is why having experienced, legal counsel on your side is so important. If you, a friend, family member or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident, contact The Law Offices of David M. Gabriel and Associates to discuss your case.
