When Whiplash Follows You Far After You’ve “Recovered”

By Grant Law Office on July 21, 2020

Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. It gets its name from the whip-like motion of the head and neck when a vehicle is struck from behind, or in an accident that causes this rapid, forceful movement. Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury that causes damage to the muscles, tendons, and nerves of the neck. It can also cause damage to the spine.

What Causes Whiplash Other Than Car Accidents?

Motor vehicle accidents are, by far, the most common cause of whiplash, but not the only cause. This type of injury to the soft tissues of the neck is also common in:

• Bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Contact sports
• Amusement park rides
• Falls from heights
• Assault and battery

What Are the Potential Long-Term Effects of Whiplash?

While many people with whiplash can improve within a few weeks, others have long-lasting complications and chronic pain, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. Whiplash victims may continue to have pain for months or years after the injury.

Long-term complications are more likely to occur if you had intense initial symptoms that started rapidly after the accident, including severe neck pain, limited range of motion, and pain that spread to the arms. A high-speed crash is one of the risk factors for the long-term effects of whiplash. Other risk factors include being older, having existing neck or low-back pain, and previous whiplash injuries.

How Can Your Life Be Impacted by Whiplash, Even After You Have “Recovered”?

Many people take the free movement of their neck for granted. The truth is, our neck plays a vital role on our ability to move around, stay alert, and even feel objects around us. An injured neck can be detrimental to our day-to-day life. Meaning, long-term effects of whiplash can significantly impact a person’s life. They may include:

• Difficulty sleeping, resulting in fatigue
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Pain in the jaw
• Reduced range of motion in the cervical area
• Memory problems
• Difficulty focusing
• Pain and stiffness in the back, shoulders, and neck
• Pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs
• Anxiety or irritability
• Emotional distress
• Worsened general health

What Should You Do If You Believe Whiplash Is Lasting Longer Than It Should?

Recent studies have shown that, in many cases, whiplash does not disappear in a few weeks. Symptoms can persist for years, causing pain, limiting mobility, and diminishing quality of life. If you are suffering from the long-term effects of whiplash, it is essential that you continue to get the medical treatment you need. You may have a claim for more than moderate injury sustained in a traffic crash or other accident. Insurance companies are notoriously reluctant to pay whiplash claims, so you should consult with an attorney as soon as you can.

Why Choose Us?

Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers at the Grant Law Office are a husband and wife team with a successful track record for our clients. Wayne Grant is rated AV Preeminent®, five out of five, on Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating an attorney can receive. Mr. Grant has also been named among Georgia Super Lawyers®, based on peer review and independent research. We thoroughly prepare our cases, with careful thought and strategic planning. Take advantage of a free consultation with no time limit or obligation. If you have suffered whiplash with long-term effects through someone else’s negligence, contact us at (404) 995-3955,.