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What is Whiplash?

AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYER SHERMAN OAKS would like you to know that whiplash is caused when a person suffers from a sudden jolt which damages the muscles, ligaments, or tendons of the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries claimed as a personal injury in car accidents. However, it is not just about car accidents. Whiplash may also occur in sports injuries, slips, falls, trips and assaults.

How does whiplash can affect you?                                                       

Whiplash may cause pain, or stiffness or limited movement in the neck. Whiplash can also cause headaches, muscle spasms, or shoulder or arm pain.

If it is severe whiplash it may cause swelling of the neck, back aches, dizziness, lack of energy, pins and needles in the hands and/or nausea.

Usually the symptoms of whiplash arise immediately after the automobile accident.  However, they may not appear untila day or two, or even weekslater. Symptoms of whiplash may worsen over time. Whiplash can even render victims permanently unable to work.

AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYER SHERMAN OAKS warns that the severity of a whiplash injuries and the recovery time required vary greatly. For some automobile accident victims, symptoms can linger for months or even years.

How is Whiplash Treated?

Often, the best treatment for whiplash is rest. Your injury needs time to heal.

Ice packs may reduce any swelling caused by the whiplash. Anti- inflammatory drugs may often help. The doctor may prescribe painkillers for the pain.

You may benefit from gentle exercise to prevent the areas affected by whiplash from stiffening.

Whiplash caused by Car Accidents

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer whiplash during an automobile accident you may make a personal injury claim.

If you were a passenger in a vehicle, your whiplash compensation claim is against the insurance company of the driver who was responsible for the accident.

If you were a driver or a pedestrian your whiplash claim would be made against the insurance company of the person driving the vehicle which hit you.

Steps to take in making a whiplash personal injury claim

You would need to prove that someone was responsible for your whiplash injury.

Get names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses. Take photographs of the accident site.

Make sure you or someone else at the scene contacts police. You want an official report of the accident.

Seek immediate medical attention for injuries. You want this on report too.

Keep all medical receipts: medical costs such as a neck brace, prescription costs, travelling expenses…

If you have suffered a whiplash injury contact AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYER SHERMAN OAKS to discuss whether you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.