What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

Posted on: April 25, 2023

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash? Whiplash often occurs in car accidents, but symptoms vary. Whiplash is notoriously challenging to diagnose, and this makes it difficult for patients to seek compensation to cover their expenses.

Whiplash can happen in any kind of car accident but is more often associated with rear-end crashes. Upon impact, a driver’s or passenger’s neck is quickly forced backward and forward. This motion is compared to the cracking of a whip. When that happens, small tears form in muscles and tendons in the neck. Strains and sprains develop here, but the shoulders, back, and neck can also be impacted.

Whiplash can seem minor at first, and many people choose not to get a medical evaluation. This is never recommended because the symptoms can take time to develop. They can be very serious and worsen without treatment.

Neck pain and stiffness are the most obvious symptoms of whiplash. Others include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches that start at the base of the skull
  • Pain when moving the neck
  • Numbness and tingling in the arms
  • Soreness and pain in the arms, back, and shoulders

Patients also experience insomnia, depression, and difficulty concentrating. The eyes and ears can also show symptoms, such as blurred vision and tinnitus. This wide range of possible symptoms is one reason why whiplash is hard for doctors to diagnose. The treatment depends on the extent of the history and the patient’s medical background, age, and physical condition. Your physician might prescribe a cervical neck collar, ice, ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, and/or physical therapy. More serious cases require more extensive treatment.

 Why Is it Difficult to Diagnose Whiplash?

These injuries do not always appear on medical imaging tests, so some insurance providers deny these kinds of claims. A thorough medical diagnosis and treatment plan could be used as evidence. The insurer will also want to know how quickly you sought treatment and if you followed the physician’s orders.

To strengthen your claim, you can snap photos of the accident scene to provide insight as to how the accident happened. Pictures of vehicle damage can also help, particularly if your vehicle was hit right in the middle of the rear bumper.

Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova Can Help You With Your Whiplash Claim

Whiplash can be serious and debilitating. If you need legal guidance with your case, do not hesitate to contact our Monmouth County car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova. Call us at 732-705-3363 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients in Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, Middlesex County, and Pennsylvania.