Despite common misconceptions perpetuated by television shows and movies, whiplash is a serious injury with a broad range of symptoms and potentially-serious complications. Whiplash will often be accompanied by other neck and back injuries as well; and, as a result, if you are experiencing symptoms of whiplash, it is important that you seek a medical diagnosis as soon as possible.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a traumatic injury that occurs when the head moves forward and then snaps back suddenly with a whip-like motion. This movement causes damage to the soft tissue that hold together the cervical vertebrae at the top of the spine, and this can lead to a variety of different symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Whiplash has a long list of symptoms. This is due to the fact that the term “whiplash” is not used to describe a single injury, but rather a compilation of multiple injuries in close proximity in the neck and back. Some of the most-common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Cognitive impairments (such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating)
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness, drowsiness and fatigue
- Headaches
- Pain and stiffness in the neck, back and shoulders
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
In some cases, accident victims diagnosed with whiplash will also experience a condition known as “whiplash associated disorder.” This can cause symptoms including:
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Stress
What are the Treatment Options for Whiplash?
While treatment for whiplash has traditionally emphasized rest and immobility, recent findings suggest that physical and occupational therapy may help prevent chronic symptoms. For individuals experiencing symptoms of whiplash associated disorder, psychological or cognitive therapy may be a necessary form of treatment as well.
What if I Can’t Afford the Costs of Treatment?
If you cannot afford the costs of treatment, you should speak with an attorney to find out if you are entitled to a financial recovery. At a minimum, if you were injured in a vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to payment under your personal injury protection (PIP) policy. If a negligent driver or other third party is responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to full compensation for your injury-related losses. This includes not only your current and future medical expenses, but your loss of income, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses as well. You may also be entitled to compensation if you suffered whiplash due to:
- A boating accident
- A golf cart accident
- A railroad or aviation accident
- A slip, trip or fall
- An accident involving a dangerous or defective product
Regardless of what happened, the most important thing you can do is to seek medical treatment promptly. If you have concerns about costs or are unsure of where to go for help, we encourage you to give us a call.
Find Out if You are Entitled to Financial Compensation for Whiplash in Florida
To learn more about seeking financial compensation for whiplash, please contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. You can reach us 24/7, so call (800) 780-8607 or tell us how we can help online now.
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