Common Long-Term Issues From Whiplash

A rear-end accident is one of the most common types of collisions. Whiplash often results from a rear-end accident because the head is forced backward and forwards.  Hence, whiplash is the most common injury a person can have after a car accident. Although whiplash can be minor, there are some cases in which a person may experience long-term problems.

According to the Agruss Law Firm, there are several chronic issues that can result from whiplash. If you are experiencing any of them, you should follow your doctor’s advice and take any treatments that they recommend.

You may also want to talk to a personal injury attorney about getting an insurance settlement that will cover all of your needed treatments.

Reduced Cervical Range of Motion

Cervical range of motion is a fancy way to say the ability to move your head. You may have trouble turning your head the way you once did. You may not be able to look over your shoulder, or it might be very painful to do so.

Treatment generally involves physical therapy, but if you cannot regain 90% of your range of motion after an accident, it might be considered a partial disability if you are unable to drive a car.

Anxiety  

Any chronic illness can disrupt your life because you may not be able to participate in the same recreational activities that you used to. You may be unable to work as much as before or at all. 

You might find that your relationships with your friends and family change and that people start to treat you differently in general. Economic and social uncertainty may result from your accident, which can cause a person to have anxiety. Treatment for anxiety may require medication and mental health therapy.

Numbness in Limbs 

You might think that whiplash would only cause problems with your head, neck, and shoulders, but it can also cause stiffness in your limbs. People who have whiplash often report the pain spreading into their arms because the neck has spinal nerve roots that can be damaged, causing pain to spread throughout the body. 

People who experience whiplash after an accident often experience leg and knee pain. These two things are not directly related, but they are both the result of being in a rear-end collision. When a car is rear-ended, the driver’s knee will often be forced into the dashboard.

Chronic pain can be difficult to treat, and many people who experience it end up addicted to painkillers. You should always ask your doctor about alternatives to medication for chronic pain. 

Headaches

People who have whiplash will often experience severe headaches. This is caused by damage to the joints in the neck. The headache that is associated with whiplash is called cervicogenic headache. About 80% of people who have whiplash get this kind of headache.

The pain from a cervicogenic headache is unusual because you feel the pain primarily in the back of your head, but you may also feel it in your jaw. The pain normally starts several days after an accident.

This headache will be treated with a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. If that doesn’t work, injections are used. Treatment can be very painful, expensive, and time-consuming. 

Blurred Vision 

Neck strains from whiplash after an accident can cause blurred vision. With the action of the neck-snapping back and forth, the tendons, neck muscles, and spine can be impacted. When an accident occurs, the muscles and spine may be stretched out, which can damage the nerves. Damaged nerves are what lead to blurred vision. 

Chiropractic care is also a method of treatment. If you decide to see a chiropractor, you should select the gentlest option of adjustments. If medication and chiropractic care do not work, you may have to see a neurologist and may even need surgery.

Tinnitus 

People who suffer from tinnitus will experience a constant ringing in their ears. The condition may be caused by many things, including long-term exposure to loud noises or head injury. People who have this condition will not only have difficulty hearing, they could also experience insomnia, depression, and confusion. 

Whiplash often leads to very severe tinnitus. When the condition comes from whiplash, sufferers hear louder sounds than other people with the same condition. They have very high rates of depression as well. Tinnitus may be caused by whiplash alone or by the loud noise made by an airbag when it deploys. 

Treatment for tinnitus may include hearing aids and medications. Physical therapy for whiplash may also help. Hearing aids amplify the noises you are supposed to hear so the buzzing won’t be as prevalent. 

Getting compensation for Whiplash-Related Issues

If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, their insurance should pay for your injuries. If you have chronic pain after an accident, your bills may be very high. There are a few things you can due to ensure that your medical bills will be paid and you get the treatment you need. 

Remember to document your accident and medical treatment carefully. Save a copy of the accident report, take pictures, and get the names and numbers of any witnesses at the scene.

Save your medical bills and get a full progress report from your doctor. Save the receipts for medications you take. Have your boss write you a letter stating the time you have missed from work, the money you were unable to earn, and how your injuries affected your job performance. 

You should document any other accident-related expenses that you have had. This may include maid service, Uber rides, and child care. It is not a bad idea to keep a journal. 

Most importantly, hire a personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with an insurance company to get you the money you deserve. 

Getting into an accident is traumatizing, but if you get the right treatment, you can manage your pain and move on with your life. 

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