Did You Suffer Whiplash in a Car Accident? Reviewing the Symptoms
It is not uncommon for people to experience full body pain after being in a serious auto accident. If you are in a crash, then you might feel sore and aching all over for hours or longer than a day, especially in sensitive areas of your body. This general pain can be problematic, though, as it may mask or confuse the symptoms of whiplash.
What is Whiplash & What are the Symptoms?
Whiplash is a serious neck injury caused by a severe sprain or strain. There is no bone break, so the symptoms may not be extreme, but the harm caused to tendons, nerves, muscles, and discs in the area can still be intense. Whiplash is most often caused by the neck whipping back and forth rapidly, as the name implies. In a violent car accident that jostles the driver, the neck will likely whip harshly, even if an airbag goes off and a seatbelt is used appropriately.
The usual symptoms of whiplash are:
- Intense neck stiffness, making it difficult or impossible to look in some directions.
- Chronic neck pain, verging on debilitation.
- Ache in shoulders and upper back.
- Lower back pain, especially when moving the shoulders or neck.
- Loss of feeling in hands and arms, which indicates nerve damage.
- Dizziness, vertigo, or lack of coordination.
- Insomnia or chronic fatigue.
- Lack of concentration and memory loss.
As it can be seen, the symptoms of whiplash may sometimes mirror typically pain after an auto accident. To be sure your injuries are not severe or do not include whiplash, you should always see your doctor after being in a crash of any sort. You never know when you could have underlying injuries not immediately apparent. Seeing a medical provider shortly after a crash also helps establish your damages and better build any future injury claims.
Florida Auto Accident Attorney There When You Need Help
Attorney Wes Pittman of The Pittman Firm, P.A. in Florida is here to help you handle your injury claim. If you suffered a serious or permanent injury after an auto accident, such as whiplash, the damages may well exceed your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. You may need to use an injury claim to seek the damages you are missing. Contact his firm at (850) 764-0383 to learn more about your rights after an accident and what types of injuries and crashes will likely require legal representation to resolve fairly.