Dangers of Whiplash Injuries in Houston

A whiplash injury occurs when there is a forceful back-and-forth motion exerted on the neck. Whiplash is common in auto accidents where vehicles decelerate suddenly. In many whiplash cases, victims report little or no pain/discomfort immediately after their accident. However, symptoms ranging from minor to severe can appear over the next 24-48 hours.

If you were recently involved in an auto accident, you may experience the following symptoms of whiplash:

• Neck pain and stiffness — Depending on the range of motion exerted, as well as the force of the impact, you may suffer excruciating neck pain and stiffness. Consult a doctor upon experiencing any neck pain or discomfort.
• Loss of range of motion in the neck — One of the reasons that whiplash is so debilitating, is because it can result in a loss of range of motion in the neck. This can have far-reaching consequences and restrict a person’s ability to drive or park a car, perform work duties, use a computer, or even use the bathroom. If your whiplash injury alters your quality of life, you must consult an experienced attorney.
• Tenderness or pain in shoulder, upper back or arms — Based on the speed of the car and other factors, the shockwave of the impact may have traveled downward causing trauma to your shoulders, upper back, or arms. Combined with neck pain, these injuries can greatly limit your mobility.

You may also feel fatigued, dizzy, irritable or have blurred vision in the days following a whiplash accident. Treatment for whiplash varies based on the severity of the injury.

While you will likely be prescribed rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication for minor stiffness, a more severe sprain might require strong painkillers and physical therapy. In the event that you severely damage your spine, discs, ligaments or nerves, you may even require surgery.

Long-term problems caused by whiplash

While minor injuries typically heal over the course of weeks or months, severe whiplash injuries can lead to long term pain and disability. If you seriously damage a disc, or pinch a nerve, your quality of life may be permanently changed. Injuries like these often require life-long treatment and therapy which can be costly.

Contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Houston

Ryan A. DeHoyos is the partner you need to take on big insurance companies to ensure fair compensation for  damages forced upon you from your car accident injury in Texas. To discuss your whiplash case with a skilled personal injury lawyer today, call (832) 745-4878 or contact us online.