What is Whiplash? 8 Frightening Side Effects

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that around two million whiplash claims related to car accidents are filed each year.

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck”, according to the Mayo Clinic. Whiplash is a very serious impairment with the potential for long-term pain.

Injuries like whiplash are dangerous, especially since the neck is so crucial to your well-being.

The human neck is composed of various parts, including different bones, muscles, nerves and more.  Not only does it connect the head to the torso, but it also provides support for the skull and helps with head movement.

Think of a neck injury like whiplash visually. Imagine your head being  forcibly jerked backward and forward in a quick manner. The effects can be devastating. 

Some of the more common side effects of whiplash include:

• Neck pain and stiffness 
• Losing range of motion in the neck 
• Headaches
• Tingling in the arms
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Brain fog

The Spine Research Institute of San Diego reports that there are 3 million new whiplash injuries each year in the United States.

Car accidents, especially rear-end collisions where another car crashes into the back of another, are one of the more frequent causes.

However, whiplash doesn’t occur only from high-speed crashes. Injuries have been reported in accidents as low as 10 miles per hour. 

Many cars now come with head restraints to help protect drivers. Car manufacturers are constantly researching and developing new ways to prevent such injuries, too. 

Consumer Reports has compiled a list of the best ways to try preventing whiplash in a car accident:

• Purchase a car with a good rear-crash rating. You can check reports, both from the company and other sources, to learn more about such ratings.
• Adjust the head restraint. Be sure the top of the restraint is at least as high as the top of your ears and as close as possible to the back of your head.
• Always wear your seat belt. Amongst many other hazard protections a seat belt provides, one of them is that it can help keep your body in place after the impact of an accident.
• Sit upright. Slouching or leaning to one side of the seat can make the head restraint and seat belt less effective. 
• Don’t tailgate. Tailgating involves riding extremely close to the car in front of you, virtually bumper to bumper. If the car in front of you stops, you will most likely rear end it and increase your chances of an injury.
• If you see an impending crash coming or can hear tires squealing behind you, prepare yourself for impact. You can lean back so your head touches the head restraint, and look straight ahead.

Some of the other frequent causes may include:

• Sports – A hard tackle in a football game or violent blow to the head while boxing could cause the next to jerk back and forth. There are continuous efforts made by the NFL to help via helmet technology. 
• Physical abuse – Being struck can cause sudden movement in your neck.
• Horse riding – A quick motion from the horse may cause the neck to quickly whip.
• Amusement park ride – An unforeseen jerk on a roller coaster may damage the neck.

Most people with whiplash injuries feel better within a few weeks, but sometimes the effects are long-term.  It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you’ve suffered from such an injury.

If you were involved in an accident, you may have a case for our Los Angeles whiplash attorneys. 

At C&B Law Group, our Los Angeles whiplash lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for thousands of clients. We vow to always have your comfort and ease in mind. 

We’ve helped car accident victims recover compensation for personal injuries like whiplash.

Common forms of compensation you may receive following a car accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

You don’t pay unless we win your case, so contact C&B Law Group now for a free consultation!