Identifying and Understanding Your Whiplash Injury
June 20, 2016 | By Colombo Law
Every year, there are thousands of accidents placing men, women, and children at risk for injury or death. Some individuals are fortunate to walk away from an accident with little to no damages while others are exposed to excruciating pain and suffering. If you or your loved one has been involved in an accident or incident, you need to speak with an experienced attorney about your rights to compensation. The attorneys at Colombo Law are experienced personal injury lawyers who can assist you with your personal injury claim.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a forceful thrusting of one’s head in a forward then back motion which typically happens quickly. Whiplash occurs when there is a sudden jerk that can occur for a variety of reasons. Some common causes of whiplash injuries include:
- Car accidents: Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash. Rear-end collisions in particular are the number one cause of accidents in many states, creating the highest likelihood of circumstances leading to whiplash injuries.
- Assaults: If an individual is engaged in a fight or suffers from physical abuse, whiplash may result if they sustain a forceful blow to the head.
- Sports: Professional athletes are also known to frequently suffer from whiplash due to tackles and other forms of forceful contact.
Signs of Whiplash
Whiplash is a particularly painful injury and is usually associated with the following:
- Pain and stiffness: If you are experiencing pain or stiffness when moving your head from front to back or side to side, you may be experiencing whiplash. Pain in the neck, back, or arms in combination with a loss of the range of motion are signs of whiplash.
- Headaches: Typically, headaches are difficult to associate with whiplash because of the commonness of headaches. This is especially true because there are many different types of headaches. However, headaches are also a common sign of whiplash. When whiplash occurs, the headaches will likely occur at the base of the skull.
Importance of Treatment
If you believe that you have experienced signs and symptoms of whiplash, it is important to seek medical attention and follow through with all medical recommendations. Sometimes, this includes taking prescription medication to help with the pain associated with whiplash. In other cases, you may be required to attend physical therapy sessions. Finally, in some severe cases, your doctor may determine that it is necessary to provide injections into the neck area. Treatment usually concludes within a few months. Be sure to seek treatment promptly so that you do not contribute to the injury you or your loved one experiences.
Colombo Law: Your West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident or incident in the state of West Virginia and are experiencing whiplash or other injuries, contact Colombo Law today. Our firm handles cases in and around Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Kingwood, Grafton, Weston, Philipi, Buckhannon, Elkins, and Parkersburg, as well as Monongalia, Marion, Harrison, Preston, Taylor, and Lewis counties.
