Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that victims of car accidents experience. Because this is a soft-tissue injury that doesn’t show up on standard diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans, diagnosis and treatment relies on observable symptoms and patient statements in the vast majority of cases. As a result, whiplash victims often face an uphill battle when it comes to filing an insurance claim to obtain just compensation.
The Typical Whiplash Scenario
Most whiplash victims are injured as a result of a car crash. Contrary to common sense, you’re just as likely to experience whiplash in a minor accident that happens at a low rate of speed as in a very severe collision involving higher speeds. In fact, a collision that occurs at just 15 mph can result in a whiplash injury even if you are wearing a seatbelt To make matters even more difficult, an accident like this may not even damage your car, and you may feel fine immediately afterwards.
It often takes a few days to notice the pain that results from a whiplash injury. Some accident victims will ignore this condition and hope it goes away on its own, but the best course of action is to see your family doctor. Most of the time, your physician will issue a treatment plan that includes rest, neck massage, ice or heat therapy, pain relievers and muscle relaxers. Some doctors also order a soft cervical collar to immobilize the neck, but many experts have found that this device only provides a minimal benefit. If physical therapy is ordered, range-of-motion exercises and heat therapy is often started within 72 hours to restore flexibility. Unfortunately, many health insurance providers do not pay for much of this treatment.
The Whiplash Prognosis
Most whiplash victims are able to recover completely from their injuries within about six weeks, but about 10 percent eventually become permanently disabled. About 25 percent experience long-term chronic pain. These numbers are shocking enough, but consider this: Each year, about three million Americans experience a whiplash injury. This means that 300,000 people are disabled and 750,000 experience pain on a daily basis. When the facts are stated in black and white, whiplash is no longer a minor problem to make fun of.
Over time, a whiplash injury that doesn’t resolve on its own can result in more troubling symptoms like increased fatigue, chronic headaches, shoulder or arm pain, blurred vision, back pain, dizziness and insomnia. In severe cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for rehabilitation to relieve these troubling comorbid conditions. In other cases, the doctor may recommend ongoing physical therapy. As a general rule, you have a 40 percent chance of experiencing lingering symptoms three months after the accident and an 18 percent chance of ongoing problems after two years.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to predict any patient’s individual prognosis. However, these rules of thumb may apply to some cases:
- If your head was inclined or rotated at the time of impact, you’re more likely to have a worse outcome than if your head was straight and level.
- Accident victims with an earlier onset of symptoms tend to experience more severe symptoms and a worse prognosis than victims with a later onset of symptoms.
Whiplash is a Serious Problem
Because whiplash injuries can result from relatively minor crashes, many people don’t take them seriously. However, almost half of the cases of chronic neck pain are a result of unresolved whiplash injuries, and more than nine percent of all Americans deal with chronic neck pain after being involved in a low-speed collision. If you add up lost wages, lost productivity and a reduced quality of life, the total damage from these “minor” accidents is astounding!
What You Should Do if You’re in an Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident, report it to the authorities even if there doesn’t appear to be any damage or injuries. If an officer isn’t dispatched to the scene to make an official report, ask to see the other person’s driver’s license and insurance information so that you can write it down. This might feel like overkill, but you’ll be glad you did if your neck starts to act up in a few days.
In California, the statute of limitations is only two years, and it often takes longer than this to heal from whiplash. If you’ve been involved in an accident and have persistent pain, make a personal injury claim even if you think you’re OK. A settlement can help you pay for any medical expenses that aren’t covered by your standard health insurance. If you need any help with your insurance claim, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in San Diego.
Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/whiplash/page10_em.htm