Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) are caused by your neck bending forcibly forward and then backward severely or vice versa. It’s an injury that involves the muscles, discs, nerves and tendons in the neck. WADs are poorly understood and often go undiagnosed. Brad Parker says, “Most whiplash injuries are caused by rear-end automobile collisions. These injuries typically resolve themselves quickly but can turn into something more serious. It you are suffering significant pain following a car accident, it’s absolutely a good idea to get it checked out.”
Symptoms of Whiplash
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Low back pain
- Dizziness
- Pain in your arm or hand
- Numbness in your arm or hand
- Ringing in your ears
- Blurred vision
- Concentration or memory problems
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Tiredness
Whiplash Diagnosis
Whiplash injuries include damage to soft tissue that can’t be seen on X-rays. Tests for whiplash may include the following:
- X-ray. Electromagnetic energy beams produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Large magnets and a computer make detailed images of organs and soft tissue structures in your body.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan. X-rays and computer technology make horizontal, or axial, images of your body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of your body, including your bones, muscles, fat, and organs.
Treating Whiplash
A medical professional will determine your unique treatment for whiplash based on age, overall health and medical history. The extent of your injury also plays a factor when choosing the route for treatment, which could include:
- Ice applications for the first 24 hours
- Cervical (neck) collar
- Gentle, active movement after 24 hours
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
- Muscle relaxing medicines
- Physical therapy
- Osteopathic manipulation
Little Known Facts About Whiplash
- You can be injured in an auto accident of less than 12 mph. Nearly 22 percent of auto injuries occur when impacts were greater than 12 mph, and 60 percent of injuries happen in car accidents with low speeds of 6 – 12 mph.
- More than 50 percent of all whiplash injuries happen without any damage to the vehicle.
- An individual may have some pain immediately following a car accident, but whiplash symptoms may not occur for hours, days, weeks or possibly even months.
- Many factors affect the severity and length of whiplash symptoms. Your age, your gender, even your physical condition and posture play a vital role. As you get older, you start to lose flexibility and strength in your neck. When this happens, your neck can’t handle the strain from an auto accident as well as it once could.
- Statistically, women experience whiplash more than men. This is primarily due to the fact that men have stronger neck muscles and women have smaller neck bones.
- If you are a smoker, the healing process can be prolonged.
- Symptoms of whiplash do not just include neck pain. There can be many symptoms in a whiplash injury. Neck pain, shoulder injury and upper back pain are just a few.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Area Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free consultation. We help car accident victims throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
*information according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
