What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries you might suffer after a car accident. Whiplash is painful and can persist for days or even weeks. A person affected by severe whiplash might even struggle to return to work or get through the day without significant pain medication. This is why any whiplash victim should consider setting up a meeting with an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a general neck injury that happens most often after a car accident (although it can occur as a result of other causes, too). Whiplash is a common injury mainly after rear-end accidents. This is because the victim’s car is hit from behind and that the occupant inside might be thrown forward and then back during the crash itself. This is usually how whiplash occurs.

What Are the Typical Whiplash Symptoms?

Usually, a victim of whiplash will be unable to ignore the pain post-accident. Some of the symptoms typically associated with whiplash include:

• Tenderness in the neck
• Pain
• Decreased range of motion
• Severe pain when the head is rocked from side to side or backward and forward
• Headaches that begin from the base of the skull and radiate up to the forehead

Sometimes, your symptoms might be obvious right after an accident. Other times, they might take a few hours or even days before you realize this because you were in shock post-accident. Perhaps you received pain medication after going to the hospital for your accident, but you notice a constant pain now that you’re home.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Whiplash?

The first thing you should do after an accident is to seek medical help. This could involve the immediate diagnosis of whiplash or other symptoms, but, as mentioned above, you might not notice the whiplash for some time.

This is why it’s so important to go to your follow-up appointments. Share developments about your pain with your physician, as these hours and days after the accident are critical for putting you on the right path to recovery.

If you notice that very little takes the pain away, or that you find it difficult to get through the day, there is no doubt you’ll feel some frustration and be unsure of the next steps.

This is a good time to consider speaking with a Jacksonville whiplash injury attorney. If another person’s negligence caused the accident that led to whiplash or other serious injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to help you recover compensation.

What You Need to Know About Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

These cases are highly complex and may involve reviewing the scene of the accident, talking to witnesses, hiring experts to speak about the facts of the case, and reviews of your medical records. Although your whiplash may be severe and impacting your ability to function each day, it’s also somewhat of an invisible injury.

Your attorney must be able to demonstrate in court that your injuries are serious and that they have caused you pain and suffering post-accident. The right team and approach to strategy are essential for this.

Another important thing to note is that you have a limited time in which you can file a claim against the other party. Waiting too long could mean that you are barred from ever bringing a claim against this party for this accident. Rather than delaying a consultation with an attorney, schedule one now to determine your options.

Meet an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Meeting with an attorney now can help to clear up questions you have about the filing process and to give you a good idea of what to expect if you move forward with a case.

This can be tremendously beneficial if you engage in a personal injury lawsuit. Whiplash might cause you persistent and serious pain, but you do have options that allow you to focus on recovery. Contact an attorney today.