subject: How does whiplash happen? [print this page] Whiplash occurs when the head is snapped backwards then forwards, causing damage to the neck muscles and tissue. This injury often occurs after a rear-end car collision, even at low-speed. Whiplash can also occur after an accident at work or an accident on the sports field, particularly during contact sports such as rugby.
The neck is made up of a complex structure of ligaments and tiny bones, and any damage caused through whiplash can make it difficult for the neck to support the head, causing pain and discomfort.
Following a mild whiplash injury, recovery should only take a couple of weeks, but if you suffer severe whiplash injury, it could take months to recover. Always seek the advice of a doctor to make sure your whiplash injuries are not masking more serious damage to the neck and back. Hyperflexion occurs in the neck when the head is jolted backwards and forwards, and this can cause a lot of pain to the victim.
Associated whiplash injuries can take longer to heal than minor whiplash, and may include neck and back damage that require further treatment or even surgery. You could claim up to 16,000 if you have suffered a severe whiplash injury with complications, providing the accident that caused injury was someone elses fault. Your claim could include loss of income, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Treatment for whiplash differs from case to case, but you may need to wear a soft collar to help support your neck, until you have fully recovered. You may be advised to carry out some gentle exercises, but this depends on the severity of the injury. After treatment, if the accident which caused the whiplash injury was not your fault, contact a personal injury solicitor who is regulated in the UK, for advice and help about making a claim for whiplash injury.Whiplash is not a joke, and you are within your rights to make a claim for whiplash compensation if you have been rear-ended by another car, or if you have suffered a sports injury, a work injury or any other type of injury that has resulted in a whiplash.
If you are suffering mild symptoms of whiplash, or if you are unable to move your head or neck properly, you could also experience pain in your lower back and shoulders. Headaches are also a common symptom of whiplash, and although you could damage soft tissue and ligaments in the neck, disc damage to the back could cause further pain and suffering.
Referred whiplash happens when you feel pain close to a nerve area but not at the exact site of the nerve, and you could suffer insomnia, memory loss, irritability and even slight brain injury. If pain is constant, you may be referred to a specialist, particularly if it is interfering with your day to day life. It is worth remembering that most whiplash cases are slightly different, and even people travelling in the same car can have varying degrees of injury following an accident.
Never ignore whiplash injury, as it could cause more serious health problems in the future. A doctor will be able to diagnose how serious your injuries are, and prescribe the correct form of treatment to help you overcome them. Before you contact a personal injury solicitor for a whiplash compensation claim, make sure you seek advice from a medical professional.
