Whiplash is a well known car accident neck injury, but people may be surprised to learn that it can take a while for symptoms to show up. Accident victims may get so caught up in the stress and confusion in the moments after an accident that they overlook any injury not immediately and painfully noticeable. A central problem with a whiplash injury is this lag time between when the incident occurred and the onset of perceived symptoms.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, gathering all the documents necessary to file and fight for your claim can seem like as much of a pain as your actual injuries. Fortunately, when you’ve been injured, there is help available. Under Connecticut law, you may be eligible for compensation for your expenses and your suffering.
At The Flood Law Firm, we’re proud of our work helping Connecticut residents who have been seriously injured in a car accident. We can recover compensation for injuries, so victims can properly recover and positively move forward with their lives. You likely have a lot of questions and our law firm offers free case evaluations so you can understand your legal rights. Call us today at (860) 346-2695.
Whiplash and Car Accidents
During a motor vehicle accident, the vehicle can be violently jerked in any direction causing the muscles and ligaments of the neck to hyperextend or hyperflex, straining the body far more than it is meant to. Rear-end collisions are notorious for causing whiplash injury, because of the angle and force of impact in these types of crashes.
Whiplash injury occurs in phases, occurring simultaneously with the physics of the crash. Each phase lasts mere seconds.
How Do I Know If I Have Whiplash?
Whiplash causes stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the muscles and ligaments of the neck. The slightest movement is met with considerable pain. Headaches and muscle spasms are also common side effects of whiplash. Pain can radiate from the neck, down into the shoulders and upper back.
This type of soft tissue damage does not have immediate symptoms, typically 6 to 12 hours will pass before the swelling and pain become noticeable. For this reason, it is important to see a doctor after any kind of crash.
Soft tissue injuries are not detectable with X-ray or MRI machines. During an accident, your body releases adrenaline as a natural defense mechanism. However, adrenaline overrides the body’s pain sensors, which is why whiplash is so difficult to immediately detect.
Lesser known whiplash symptoms include:
- numbness, pain or tingling sensations in the arms and hands
- dizziness
- lower back pain
- fatigue
- vertigo
- poor concentration
- memory loss
Long-Term Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash takes time to heal, normally 6 weeks. For some, these symptoms can last even longer. Persistent headaches, dizziness, and a pins and needles feeling down the arms are indicators of chronic or long-term whiplash. Psychological and emotional changes also accompany chronic whiplash, causing feelings of anxiety or depression.
How to File a Whiplash Injury Claim
After any accident, medical treatment should be your first priority. Your health is arguably your most significant personal possession. Even if the paramedics do not arrive on the scene, be sure to see a doctor after a car accident. Your physician will be able to diagnose your injury, as well as send you to see a specialist, such as a chiropractor or orthopedist, if need be.
You will need to have all your medical treatment records readily available when filing an injury claim. Insurance claims adjusters are notoriously suspicious of whiplash injury claims. A thorough paper trail of medical treatment is your best defense against a claims adjuster’s attempts to deny your injury.
Tip: It is advised to not speak with the other party’s insurance claim adjuster! They represent the insurance companies and are trained to make your injuries seem less harmful due to the accident or perhaps from an old injury.
It is advised to allow a lawyer to speak on your behalf. Hiring a personal injury attorney may ensure you are compensated by the negligent driver responsible for your injuries. By lifting the burden of legal matters off your shoulders, your attorney can help you focus on healing.
How a Connecticut Auto Accident Attorney Can Help
It’s vital you speak to a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash. They will ensure that the proper claims are filed in a timely manner, investigate the accident, and advise you on your legal rights to compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency and hospital care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages from time missed at work due to injury from the auto accident.
- Pain and suffering that you and your family have experienced as a result of the car crash, including compensation for grief, distress, and anguish.
Reach Out to Us Today
You have a limited time to file a lawsuit for most personal injury actions. That is why it is important to speak with a Connecticut car accident attorney right away.
Case evaluations are always free, confidential and at no obligation. Find out your next legal steps today by contacting us using the web form, or by calling 1-860-346-2695.
