Whiplash is an injury that is commonly associated with automobile accidents, usually occurring in rear-end collisions. So what are the symptoms of whiplash? Well, think of whiplash as a sprained ankle. Your X-rays may come back normal, but you still cannot walk on it. With whiplash, there will likely be some swelling and tenderness. If you ignore the symptoms, however, it could make things worse for you later.
Whiplash symptoms may not surface for 24 hours or more after your car accident. If your whiplash occurred in a car accident that you didn’t cause, you can file an insurance claim to recoup your losses. And should you go that route, we recommend that you meet with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to find out your rights.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash is very treatable, and most whiplash symptoms heal over time. But if left untreated, some of your more serious whiplash injuries can cause severe pain and lead to a spinal cord injury or arthritis. In extreme cases, whiplash injuries could change your life forever. Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor so that you can receive the proper whiplash treatment.
Here are the most common whiplash symptoms:
- Neck and upper back pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Decreased range of movement
- Numbness, tingling or radiating pain
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Concentration and memory disorders
- Blurred vision
Grading Whiplash Symptoms
There are four different levels of whiplash as defined by the Quebec Task Force.
- Grade 0 - No neck pain, stiffness, or any physical signs are noticed
- Grade 1 - Complaints of neck pain, stiffness or tenderness only but no physical signs are noted by the examining physician.
- Grade 2 - Neck complaints and the examining physician finds decreased range of motion and point tenderness in the neck.
- Grade 3 - Decreased range of motion plus neurological signs such as decreased deep tendon reflexes, weakness, insomnia and sensory deficits.
- Grade 4 - Neck complaints and fracture or dislocation, or injury to the spinal cord.
Why Hire Our Personal Injury Attorneys if You Have Whiplash Symptoms?
Since 1992, the personal injury attorneys at the Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, APC. have been helping people just like you recover the maximum financial compensation for whiplash injuries. We know the legal process can at times be very confusing, but our experience can hopefully guide you through the insurance claim process.
Our firm’s founder, Michael Pines, is a former insurance company lawyer, so he knows how the insurance companies work. Insurance companies may not pay a fair settlement. If you do not want insurance companies to take advantage of you, you should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer from our law firm. We are dedicated to helping you obtain the fair and just compensation you and your family need to recover and move toward a brighter future.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile accident and suffered whiplash injuries, we urge you to contact our bilingual offices as soon as possible following the accident at 1-858-551-2090 or please click here for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing until we recover money on your behalf.