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Posted in Car Accidents on December 5, 2019
When a car crash occurs, there are countless ways that a driver or passenger can be injured. One of the most common, yet least understood injuries is whiplash. Whiplash is caused when the force of a car collision causes the head and neck to whip back and forth quickly. While you may think whiplash only happens in high-speed collisions, that is not the case. Even relatively low-speed impacts can cause whiplash. Studies have shown that a person can sustain whiplash in a crash as slow as five miles per hour.
In the immediate aftermath of a crash, a person may not even realize they have suffered from whiplash. This is due to the adrenaline and confusion that sets in when a crash occurs. However, those who suffer from whiplash may begin to feel the symptoms hours, days, or even weeks after a crash.
Whiplash pulls muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a person’s neck, shoulder, and upper back. For most people, whiplash is treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. More severe cases could require prescription pain relievers or muscle relaxers to reduce muscle spasms. Doctors may prescribe physical therapy to help a whiplash victim recover.
Unfortunately, some people may suffer from the long-term effects of whiplash. The long-term effects we mention here can last for months or years and cause significant pain and suffering for victims. Whiplash victims often incur major medical expenses due to ongoing treatment needs.
The long-term effects of whiplash can include:
Whiplash victims may be entitled to compensation. If long-term whiplash was caused by another driver’s negligence, a victim should be able to secure compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. This coverage could include:
Because whiplash is so common in car accidents, insurance companies have become adept at tactics designed to lower the amount they pay in a settlement. If an insurance carrier denies a whiplash claim or does not offer enough compensation, a victim may need to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover the amount they deserve.
In Georgia, a car accident victim has two years from the date the injury occurs to file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver (or their insurance carrier).
If you have been involved in a car accident, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Even if you do not feel any pain at the time of the crash, you may still be suffering from whiplash. If you do not seek treatment immediately after a crash, do so as soon as any pain develops. Seeking medical treatment ensures your well-being, and it establishes a link between your injuries and the crash.