When you are driving to work in the morning, the last thing you expect is to be rear-ended by a distracted driver. Unfortunately, these are some of the most common accidents. However, you may assume that because you didn’t hit your head on any surface in your car, you are okay. While this may be true in some cases, if you develop pain in your neck, it could be a sign that you have sustained whiplash. If you’re unsure what this injury is, what the symptoms are, or if you are eligible to file a claim, the following blog and a Marietta car accident lawyer can help.
What Is Whiplash, and What Are the Symptoms?
Whiplash is a type of neck injury you can sustain as a result of a rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to cracking a whip. While this is most commonly caused by rear-end collisions, you can also sustain this injury through sports and slips, and falls.
This injury is common in rear-end collisions, as the force of the impact may cause your neck to snap forward (hyperflexion) before jerking backward (hyperextension). As such, this can cause damage to the muscles and ligaments in your neck, resulting in pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, you’ll find that you can suffer whiplash during even seemingly minor car accidents.
Common signs and symptoms of whiplash include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Neck pain and discomfort
- Stiffness and loss of range of motion
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Pain at the base of your neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Numbness or tingling in your arms
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Tinnitus
- Confusion
Can I Seek Compensation for the Damages I’ve Incurred?
If you are involved in an accident and suffer whiplash as a result, you can incur both economic and non-economic damages. You’ll find that the economic damages you can incur include things like medical bills, lost wages from time you’ve taken off of work to heal, and property damage. Non-economic damages represent non-tangible losses you’ve suffered as a result, like pain and suffering, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life. These can be much more difficult to recover, as there is no concrete monetary value attached to these losses.
When you are the victim of an injury, navigating the process of filing an insurance claim while pursuing a claim against the negligent party and healing from the injuries inflicted can be incredibly overwhelming. That is why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney to help you through these matters. At Miller Law Practice, our team is committed to assisting you through these difficult times. Connect with us today to learn how we can fight for you and the compensation you deserve.