The most common cause of a whiplash injury is a car accident; however there are lots of other ways they can be caused. A one on one collision in sporting accidents can cause them, trips and fall accidents, they can even be caused whilst riding on a rollercoaster at a theme park. Any thing that causes the neck to jolt backwards, forwards or sideways can cause such an injury.
There are two types of whiplash injury. There is acute whiplash; this is when there is a sudden jolt to the neck that causes a person pain or other symptoms. This type of whiplash lasts no longer than six months. There is also chronic whiplash, this is where the symptoms of whiplash last longer than six months, and can have a long term effect on the patient.
Some people pass whiplash injuries off and don’t think to seek medical attention because they assume it’ll just get better on its own, or the symptoms will just disappear. However with some cases of whiplash it is essential that you seek medical attention, especially if the symptoms are persistent.
If you have been involved in an accident there are a number of symptoms to look for when diagnosing such an injury:
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Lower back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Neck swelling
- Headaches
- Tenderness along the back of the neck
- Reduced movement in the neck or loss of movement
If you feel any of the above symptoms after been involved in an accident you should seek medical attention. Whiplash injuries can have serious implications on the lives of those suffering from such an injury. They may prevent you from going to work or carrying out everyday tasks such as playing with your children or cleaning the house.
If you have suffered a whiplash injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault you may be able to make an whiplash compensation claim. For more information on making a whiplash claim contact the Injury Lawyers.
