Do you have whiplash?

Have you recently been in a motor vehicle accident and now have some neck pain? Then you may have whiplash. But what exactly is whiplash and can you make a claim against the other party involved? Find out everything you need to know about the injury here: 

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a relatively common injury caused by a sever jerk of the head called ‘hyperextension’. Don’t worry though, it isn’t life threatening! It is however widely misunderstood and often treated with a collar when in fact exercise and motion are more likely to lead to a rapid recovery. 

When a person’s neck is suddenly subject to an acceleration and deceleration force it will make a quick forward and backward movement that can cause damage. This damage will include stress to the bone and surrounding soft tissue and is most commonly seen in car accidents where parties are traveling at high speeds. 

The term ‘whiplash injury’ is used to describe the physical damage whereas ‘whiplash associated disorders’ will include related injuries in a more severe case which may last for years after an accident takes place. 

Symptoms

Common symptoms that may be related to whiplash include: 

·         Neck pain and stiffness

·         Shoulder pain and stiffness

·         Dizziness

·         Fatigue

·         Headaches

·         Jaw pain

·         Arm pain or weakness

·         Back pain

·         Ringing in the years (tinnitus)

·         Visual disturbances

In extreme cases of a whiplash associated disorder a person may also suffer from: 

·         Insomnia or sleep disturbances

·         Drug dependency

·         (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder

·         Anxiety

·         Depression 

Treating Whiplash 

Unfortunately for those who suffer from whiplash there isn’t a lot you can do to speed up the heeling process, you simply have to wait it out and your neck will eventually get better on its own. The best thing you can do for your neck, in contrast to popular beliefs, is to keep it mobile. Avoid the use of collars or neck braces if possible. Your neck will hurt but trust us it will help. If the pain gets too much then paracetamol or ibuprofen may help. Always consult your doctor if you believe you are suffering from whiplash. 

Claiming Against a Whiplash Injury

Whiplash may not be a permanent or life threatening injury however it can cause a partial disability for some time after the incident and therefore may cause an increased amount of expenditure. A person with whiplash may not be able to go to work and as a result will have a loss of earnings and productivity. If you have been injured in an accident then you may be able to make claim.

As long as the crash was partly or wholly someone else’s fault then you may have a good case for compensation. If you decide to make a claim for whiplash then you may also be able to claim disability and litigation costs. It may be worth speaking to your local accident claims solicitor to know your rights. 

If you would like more information on how to make whiplash claims in Cardiff or anywhere for that matter then get in contact with Nigel Jones’ solicitors firm, JMD Law. Specialists in accident claims they have years of experience acting on the behalf of injured clients and could recover compensation for you!