Automobile accidents are not minor events; collisions at just 10mph can seriously impact your health. The most common injury at lower speeds is whiplash, which can cause pain and discomfort in the neck of the victim. But, for various reason this injury has been stigmatized so much that people question whether it is legitimate at all. Don’t let other people and insurance companies belittle you – whiplash from a low-speed collision is very real to many accident victims.

What is whiplash?

The term “whiplash” doesn’t designate a specific medical condition, and it can manifest itself differently depending on the extent of your injury. It is most commonly a neck strain or sprain, where many different parts of the spine or neck can be damaged. A whipping motion of the head back and forth is enough to cause whiplash, so you can get it even in low-speed collisions.

What are symptoms of whiplash?

The most obvious symptom of whiplash is neck pain and stiffness, but there are many others you might experience as well. These include headaches, pain in the surrounding areas like the back and shoulders, numbness or tingling in the limbs or extremities, and concussion-like feelings of a dazed mind, trouble sleeping, dizziness, and fatigue. You may not notice symptoms until a day after the injury, and some may not show up until days or weeks later.

What should I do if I think I have whiplash?

Go see a doctor immediately for a diagnosis. They will likely use CT scans or MRI’s to look for soft tissue damage to discs, ligaments, and muscles in the neck. If you plan on seeking compensation for your injury, you need to get medical treatment within the first 2 weeks of the accident. Otherwise, you have a miniscule chance of seeing any money from the insurance company under your personal injury protection benefits.

If you’d like legal help to advise you about your options, The Troutman Law Firm is here to help. We have a focus on automobile accident cases and have handled thousands over the past 25+ years. Not sure what you should do next? With our vast experience in this area, we can confidently say that you will find no better firm to help your through your whiplash case. For a free consultation, call us today at 407-647-5002.