Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries in a rear-end car accident. Minor whiplash injuries can be treated and most people are able to recover within a few weeks. However, some injury victims suffer chronic pain and permanent damage after a serious whiplash injury. Do not ignore neck pain after a car accident. Contact an experienced Denver auto accident lawyer if you suffered a neck injury to make sure you can recover damages for your medical expenses.

Whiplash Injuries

According to the Mayo Clinic, “whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Physical trauma to the head and neck can be caused by assault, sports injuries, or a fall. However, the most common cause of whiplash is car accidents, primarily rear-end crashes. 

When the neck is violently thrown back and forth, it can tear neck ligaments and muscles, damage nerves, and injury the spine and vertebrae. The extent of the injury may be worsened by high-speed impact, lack of neck support, older age, and prior neck injuries. Some symptoms may begin immediately but other signs of the injury can take hours or days to develop. Common symptoms of whiplash include: 

• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Pain on movement
• Loss of range of motion
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Tingling in the arms
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory problems
• Visual disturbances
• Jaw pain
• Vertigo

Any neck injury should be evaluated by a doctor. Many people involved in a car accident do not get medical help because they think they will be fine or they are worried about the cost of medical care. However, neck injuries should not be ignored. Early treatment may have a better chance of recovery and can reduce the risk of chronic neck pain. 

Imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs may help identify neck injury damage caused by whiplash. Treatment can include pain medication, physical therapy, and stretching exercises. However, even with treatment, some injury victims suffer long-term pain and chronic complications. Serious or permanent neck injury damage can include neck pain, limited range of motion, and nerve damage. 

Payment for Whiplash Injuries

Medical care in the United States is expensive. Even with medical insurance, an accident victim could be left payout thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Chronic pain caused by a whiplash injury may require lifelong pain management. Neck injuries may leave the injury victim unable to work or limit their job opportunities. If a car accident was caused by someone else, you should not have to carry the financial burden. 

A personal injury claim will allow the injury victim to seek compensation to pay for the damages caused by the accident. Damages in a car accident may include:

• Car repairs 
• Medical expenses
• Lost income 
• Future costs of medical care 
• Pain and suffering
• Impairment of the quality of life

Denver Accident Lawyer

Car accident injuries should be taken seriously. Leaving a neck injury untreated can lead to serious, long-term consequences. A car accident claim can help you and your family recover damages after an injury accident. If you have any questions about your options after an accident, talk to your Denver accident lawyer for advice. Contact our attorneys today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.