What Crash Victims Should Know About Whiplash After A Rear-End Accident
We’ve seen it happen many times: crash victims brushing off minor injuries or experiencing no symptoms right after a rear-end auto accident. A whiplash injury may not seem like much at the start in the first 24 hours after your accident, but then several days go by and the pain and discomfort sets in. The neck and upper back region become painful and stiff, and headaches may start to occur. That's when the victim of that rear-end collision knows they have sustained a more serious injury than first thought.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck and spine most commonly attributed to rear-end auto accidents. The impact of being struck from behind results in a sudden and rapid, forward and back whip-like motion of the head and neck, which causes strain to the muscles and ligaments in the neck and back. In many instances, it may also cause a concussion or brain injury, due to the fact that the brain impacts the inside of the skull during the whipping motion.
Symptoms to watch out for
After a rear-end accident, you may feel perfectly fine. Perhaps you might feel a slight kink in your neck. So you simply try to walk it off in the hopes that it will just go away. However, the following symptoms can appear days later:
- Spasms and tightness in the upper back and neck
- Pain when moving neck
- Head tension and headaches
- Dizziness and disorientation
- Complications with chewing and/or swallowing
- Abnormal burning or tingling sensation
- Persistent pain in shoulders and upper back
Don’t let it get worse, seek medical help
Even if you feel fine, you should always seek immediate medical attention after a rear-end accident. Not only can whiplash symptoms worsen over time, they can become permanent if left untreated. Additionally, the longer you wait to seek a medical evaluation, the more difficult it can be to obtain compensation for your medical expenses or any other losses associated with your accident.
Once the symptoms worsen, they can hold you back from engaging in activities you enjoy. Even worse, they could hinder your ability to perform certain job functions, leaving you out of work for a lengthy period of time without a paycheck.
Even if the driver who caused your rear-end crash is 100 percent at fault, his or her insurance company will likely do whatever it takes to downplay your claim. They might say that your injuries aren’t severe enough, or filing a claim isn’t worth the hassle.
Don’t fall for their tricks. Let a highly skilled Maryland auto accident attorney handle your claim. The legal team at the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC has a wealth of legal knowledge and experience helping crash victims with whiplash maximize their compensation. Your recovery matters to us.
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation.