One of the most common car accident injuries is whiplash. This condition can make it impossible for many people to sleep comfortably at night and even get up to work in the morning. Although some people believe whiplash is exaggerated, the fact is that this is one of the more common disabling injuries a person can suffer. If you experience neck pain following a Texas car accident, call The Stano Law Firm for assistance. You might have a legal right to request compensation.
What is Whiplash?
We see whiplash most often in rear-end collisions. The force of the impact throws a person’s head forward, usually much farther than normal, before the head snaps back in a whip-like fashion. This violent motion can stretch soft tissues in the neck, including:
- Muscles that move and stabilize the head
- Tendons that connect muscle to bone
- Ligaments that connect cervical bones
- Nerves that branch off the spinal cord and run down the shoulders
- When this tissue is stretched too far, it can tear and cause intense pain and inflammation.
What Are Whiplash Symptoms?
Symptoms can come on slowly, often because any pain immediately after a crash could be masked by adrenaline. Over the next few hours and even days, however, you can slowly begin to feel the first whiplash symptoms:
- Neck pain that worsens when you move your head
- Neck stiffness
- Painful headaches
- Dizziness
- Tingling in your arms and fingers
- Pain in your upper back and shoulders
- Fatigue
These symptoms are so severe that some people can’t even move their heads without feeling sharp pain.
Whiplash Treatment
This is a serious injury, and motorists should be concerned about any neck pain. Go to the hospital to have a doctor diagnose you. Your doctor can also order appropriate treatment which improves your odds of recovery.
Traditionally, doctors would put patients in a stiff foam collar to limit any head movement. Today, doctors follow a different approach. They might immobilize the head for a brief period and use medication to reduce inflammation and pain. As soon as possible, doctors try to introduce movement to your head and neck, often using massage or physical therapy.
Severe whiplash might require surgery to repair ligaments or tendons or to address cracked cervical bones. But surgery is rare.
You Deserve Fair Compensation
As you can imagine, whiplash impairs the ability of many motorists to return to normal life. Many people can’t work for months due to the pain. In addition to medical expenses, patients struggle with lost income and benefits. They also deserve some compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured.
Don’t let an insurance adjuster minimize your neck pain. They might only offer a few thousand dollars in compensation for what is a crippling injury.
Schedule a Consultation with a Texas Car Accident Lawyer
At The Stano Law Firm, our Texas car accident lawyer will go over your medical records and discuss how your neck pain has interrupted your life. We will gather helpful evidence, such as statements from your doctor and family members, and then negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Call 713-766-4380 or use our contact us form.