Whiplash and Spinal Cord Injuries

Whiplash is an injury that affects the soft tissue in the neck. Car crashes are the most common cause of whiplash. Sudden rear, or even side, impact can cause the head to quickly snap forward and backward and force it beyond its normal range of motion. Headrests have reduced this occurrence, but whiplash injuries still occur. Whiplash can also result from sports accidents and violent shaking, particularly of young children.

Whiplash can damage muscles, ligaments, and discs in the neck. However, the injury may not be apparent immediately. A person who has been involved in an automobile accident, for example, may not experience any noticable pain or discomfort in the aftermath of the accident; however, he or she may start to feel the strain a few days later, accompanied by a tender, swollen sensation.

Symptoms of Whiplash

• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Loss of neck motion
• Dizziness
• Injured or sore muscles
• Trouble or loss in concentration or memory
• Muscle spasms (in serious cases)

Treating Whiplash

If you’ve been in a car accident and suspect you may have suffered a neck injury, see a physician as soon as possible. A physician can diagnose your injury and recommend medications to ease your pain or discomfort. The symptoms of whiplash can usually be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication, muscle relaxant, or another anti-inflammatory medication. If you have suffered a mild case of whiplash, you should:

• Ice your neck for the first 24 hours.
• Take it easy, don’t overexert yourself.
• Avoid playing sports or doing any heavy lifting.
• Perform special stretches or exercises for your neck muscles, as advised by your physician.
• Attend physical therapy, if recommended.
• Wear a cervical collar, if recommended by your physician.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered whiplash due to someone else's negligent actions, you may be entitled to collect financial damages for your pain and suffering. Contact a personal injury lawyer for more information by browsing through LawyerShop’s directory of legal professionals in your area.