subject: What Exactly Is Whiplash? [print this page] Whiplash is basically the hyperextension of the neck. In plain terms, this is when neck muscles are torn or stretched and a certain amount of nerve damage is caused. In the very worst cases of whiplash there can also be permanent damage to the victims spine. Many types of accident can result in whiplash, but car crashes are by far the most popular cause. And once you understand how this type of injury actually comes about, it is simple to see why...
When a car is struck from behind by another vehicle, the victims body is thrown forwards faster than their head. In an attempt to catch up, the victims head will then try to compensate this motion by whipping forwards as well. It is at this precise moment that the whiplash will occur. As you can appreciate, this all takes place within a split second, but it will often result in injuries that last for months or even years.
Because a car crash will normally induce a considerable degree of trauma in the victim, the symptoms of whiplash may not actually become apparent straight away. In some instances, the victim may not experience any pain or discomfort for several hours after the accident. However, this type of injury to a persons neck should never be taken lightly as it can turn out to be far more serious than initially thought.
If you are ever involved in a road accident and feel there is even the slightest possibly of having whiplash, then you should always get it checked by a doctor. Like many other types of injury, if whiplash goes untreated, then it can become far worse. We should not forget that the neck is a very delicate part of the anatomy and it is also linked to the spine. Almost fifty percent of people who have forgone the appropriate medical attention at the time of an accident have reported reoccurring symptoms two years after their initial injury! Visiting a doctor for a check-up is a relatively simple matter and it can help to prevent a great deal of complications in the future.
It is also advisable to visit a personal injury solicitor and make an official whiplash claim. Why should the other party get away with injuring you if the collision was their fault? But, if you are going to seek legal advice, then it is imperative that you are examined by a doctor first. Claiming for whiplash is a very difficult matter if you do not have any proper medical documentation to back-up your injuries. You can have the best solicitor in the world, but if they do not have a reasonable amount of evidence to support your claim, then it will be an uphill struggle. And this is another very good reason for getting yourself to the doctor!
