Many people are not clear on the definition of whiplash, how it can affect them, or what the long-term complications are. Keep reading to learn three facts about whiplash that often surprise people, then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you require a free legal consultation.
- Whiplash Can Have Many Symptoms – Not Just Neck Pain
- Dizziness
- Numb arms and hands
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Swelling in the neck
- Trouble swallowing
- You Can Get Whiplash at Any Speed
- X-Rays Do Not Always Show Fractures
Most people think of whiplash as happening to the neck and the neck alone. This is not always true. In fact, sometimes, your neck will not be sure at all. In most cases, some combination of your neck, head, and shoulders will hurt if you have whiplash. However, you could experience other symptoms instead or as well:
You might experience any of these symptoms immediately after the accident, or it could take you weeks to develop them. If you feel any of them, take note so that you can tell your doctor what symptoms you felt and when you felt them.
We hear from people who have been involved in car accidents and swear that they could not have whiplash because they were only going a few miles per hour at the time of impact. It doesn’t matter. Research has shown that whiplash can (and does) occur at speeds of less than five miles per hour. Think of it this way: if you are hit behind at just ten miles per hour, your head can whip forward with the force of nine Gs. Remember that one G is the gravitational pull on the earth. Nine of these can certainly make an impact.
It is common for a doctor to order a neck x-ray after a person has been injured in an accident. In many cases, there will not be a sign of fracture. This does not mean that you will not suffer pain, as you could have knocked the curvature of the cervical spine out of whack. In fact, you could actually have a slight neck fracture, as some of these are not visible until they begin to heal. This means that they wouldn’t show up on an x-ray taken right after the accident.
If you have suffered an injury in a car accident and are not sure what to do, we can make it easy for you: call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We have the experience, passion, and compassion you need to get the best possible result from your case.
