February 22, 2024
Whiplash is a common injury after a car accident, especially if you’ve been rear-ended. But it can also occur during daily activities such as falling or playing sports. Severe whiplash can even make you miss out on work or make you rack up medical bills.
The important thing is to understand how whiplash can affect your daily life, and when and where to ask for help.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash — also referred to as neck strain or a neck sprain — is a soft tissue injury in your neck. It’s a common injury in car accidents because of the sudden extension of your neck that happens on impact of two or more vehicles.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Back or shoulder pain
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Exhaustion
- Headache
- Neck pain or stiffness
There are also different levels of whiplash, depending on the severity of your injury and the impact on your health. Whiplash injuries are categorized by a scale of 0-4:
- Grade 0: No complaints about the neck, no other physical sign(s) of injury
- Grade 1: Pain, stiffness or tenderness in the neck, usually no impact to your range of motion.
- Grade 2: Pain, stiffness or tenderness in the neck and musculoskeletal injuries, possibly including decreased range of motion and point tenderness.
- Grade 3: Neck pain and neurological injury such as damage to the supporting ligaments in the spine. Decreased range of motion and point tenderness.
- Grade 4: Neck pain and fracture or dislocation of spinal discs in addition to more severe muscle and ligament damage.
Most car accidents will cause whiplash of grades 0-2, but depending on the force of the accident, you may suffer from serious neck injuries.
Understand the Dangers of Whiplash
While it might seem like just muscle soreness on the surface, whiplash is dangerous. Even if your injury seems mild, whiplash symptoms can increase over time. Whiplash may cause chronic issues if left untreated, such as:
- Permanent loss of range of motion
- Degenerative joint or disc disease
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
- Diminished or blurred vision
- Recurring headaches and migraines
- Chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain
If you’ve been in an accident, seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay at first, it may be hard to determine the extent of your injuries. Depending on the severity of the accident, whiplash can accompany other injuries including a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
The length of your recovery depends on the severity of your injury. Whiplash in grades 0-2 generally heals within a few months to half a year with proper treatment. Immediate whiplash injury self-care can include:
- Over-the-counter medications to help reduce pain and swelling
- Ice or heat packs on the affected area
- Rest and relaxation
- Gentle stretching
The best course of action to treat whiplash is to follow the advice of a medical professional. If you can’t see a doctor immediately, it’s a good idea to keep a medical journal to document your symptoms until you can be seen.
How Long Should You Be Off Work for Whiplash?
The duration of time off work for whiplash can range from a few days to several months, but varies depending on the severity of the injury and individual recovery. Generally, mild cases may allow for a return to work within weeks, while more severe cases might require extended time off.
While you might be worried about lost wages or other work-related issues, the important thing is to take care of your health. Returning to work too soon can aggravate a head and neck injury and make it worse.
If you’re out of work because of an accident, a personal injury attorney can help you understand what coverage you have, and what compensation you might be entitled to.
What Are the Different Grades of Whiplash Injuries?
When you have a whiplash injury, it’s important to seek medical care soon after. Whiplash can seem minor at first, but the stress and adrenaline of an accident can cause you to miss symptoms until later.
Here’s a breakdown of the whiplash grading system:
- Grade 0: No pain or complaints, and no physical signs of injury.
- Grade 1: Neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness, but no other physical signs of injury.
- Grade 2: Symptoms of Grade 1 plus musculoskeletal signs like limited range of motion or muscle spasms.
- Grade 3: Symptoms of Grade 2 plus neurological signs like numbness, tingling, or weakness.
- Grade 4: Severe symptoms, including a fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine.
While grade 1 is most common, even grade 3 whiplash can be a sign of serious, life-altering issues. Your safest course of action is to be thoroughly evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
How to Seek Compensation for Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash has the potential to disrupt your overall health for weeks or even months. Seeking medical treatment and wading through insurance companies’ red tape can feel daunting — especially if you aren’t feeling your best.
If you’ve been in an accident where the other party was at fault, contacting a personal injury attorney is a great first step. An attorney can help you:
- Collect evidence of your accident
- Determine who was at fault and prove negligence
- Interpret your insurance coverage
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Communicate with insurance adjusters, attorneys, and others on your behalf
Our team at Bennett, Boehning, and Clary help our clients fight for the compensation they deserve. We can also give you the peace of mind you need to truly relax and heal.
If you’ve been in an accident and have a whiplash injury, you may seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us today for help with your case. We offer a free consultation, so you can learn more about your legal options with no obligation.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended to be general and informational in nature. It is advertising material and is not intended to be, nor is it, legal advice to or for any particular person, case, or circumstance. Each situation is different, and you should consult an attorney if you have any questions about your situation.