A study published in the National Library of Medicine reports that 43% of whiplash patients have long-term symptoms. These patients may suffer from chronic pain and immobility. In rare cases, severe medical complications, such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, numbness, cognitive issues, and psychological changes, can occur.
Jordan Law Center’s Greenville Car Accident Lawyer explains the long-term effects of whiplash after a car accident.
Understanding How Whiplash Occurs
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the muscles, nerves, and tendons. These body tissues facilitate body movement and function.
In a car accident, the body is thrown at high speeds, and the head, neck, and shoulders may be thrown faster than would naturally happen. When the body’s tissues cannot withstand these sudden forces, muscles, nerves, and tendons can be strained. This strain is known as whiplash.
Early Symptoms vs. Long-Term Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms can occur early, and they can persist long-term.
Early whiplash symptoms
Initially, when a person is hurt in a car accident, they may feel neck pain and stiffness or tenderness in their arms or shoulders. Sometimes, this pain sets in for hours or days.
The typical range of motion may become limited. The person may experience neurological symptoms like headaches or tingling. They may feel unusually fatigued, with a general feeling that something isn’t right.
Long-term whiplash symptoms
When whiplash symptoms last for several months without resolution, they are long-term whiplash symptoms. Factors contributing to long-term whiplash include underlying medical conditions, age of the patient, co-occurring injury, medical care following the car accident, and the overall severity of soft tissue injury.
Chronic Pain and Reduced Mobility
Chronic neck pain may result from car accident whiplash. One study notes that as many as 40% of patients with initial neck pain from a car accident will develop chronic pain. Common underlying causes include trauma to the cervical facet joint and disc injury. Physical activity, therapy, and medication provide relief for many patients; however, discectomy or fusion may be appropriate in severe cases.
Pain from whiplash may lead to poor posture. In turn, poor posture can contribute to additional pain.
Neurological and Cognitive Effects
Long-term whiplash can manifest neurologically and cognitively. A person may experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Headaches, migraines
- Numbness, tingling, which can extend to the upper extremities
- Dizziness
- Trouble concentrating, difficulty thinking
- Blurred vision, vision abnormalities
- Ringing in the ears, sensory abnormalities
- Poor coordination
- Anxiety, mood changes, irritability
- Changes in voice
- Reduced executive function
- Digestive issues due to vagus nerve dysfunction
These symptoms may be related to long-term whiplash or other causes.
Medical Treatment for Long-Term Whiplash
Medical treatment may relieve long-term whiplash symptoms. One study reports that 93% of long-term whiplash patients benefit from chiropractic care. In addition, a patient may benefit from physical therapy, massage, posture modifications, medication, a regimen of heat and ice, and pain injections.
Physical therapy may improve mobility, reduce muscle spasms, and lessen pain. Personal coaching may help a person modify daily tasks. In addition, adequate rest may contribute to recovery.
Treatment for severe injury
When there are severe effects of long-term whiplash, such as degenerative disc disease, aggressive treatment may be appropriate. A person may benefit from disc replacement, corticosteroid injections, or spinal fusion. A discectomy can remove a herniated disc, while a laminectomy may create space to relieve nerve pressure. These invasive treatments are not always necessary.
Proving Long-Term Effects in a Car Accident
A person may receive compensation for the long-term effects of whiplash following a car accident. They must prove they have ongoing symptoms, what treatment is appropriate, and the amount of compensation payable under the law. It’s important to evaluate the initial injury and understand that long-term whiplash may be a possibility. Medical records and journaling can help develop a care pattern.
Compensation
Compensation for long-term whiplash can be both economic and non-economic. You may receive car accident compensation for physical therapy, medical procedures, home devices and supports, over-the-counter medication, and other expenses. In addition, chronic whiplash can significantly add to the pain and suffering that a person experiences from a car accident. This suffering can be measured and included in a claim.
How a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
When long-term whiplash is a possibility, it’s important not to resolve a car accident claim prematurely. An attorney can help you investigate, document, and value long-term whiplash, building medical evidence and negotiating your compensation.
At Jordan Law Center, we handle car accident claims involving long-term whiplash. We take on complicated cases and win. We are experienced trial lawyers and resolve cases by both trial and settlement.
Contact
If you’ve been in a car accident, we invite you to contact the attorneys at Jordan Law Center. See how long-term effects of whiplash may factor into your car accident claim. Get legal representation for your case. Call or message us now.
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