Learn why whiplash is the most frequently reported car accident injury
According to the Insurance Research Council, whiplash is the most common type of injury suffered in a car accident. This is based on the fact that 66 percent of all individuals who make insurance claims for car accident injuries report some type of neck injury.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an umbrella term for neck injuries that occur when a sudden impact causes the head to jerk back and forth on the neck. This can cause damage to the neck in a variety of ways, from muscle strain and soft tissue tears to nerve damage and disc damage. Whiplash can also cause brain injury, if the force of the whiplash movement is severe enough to make the brain bounce back and forth in the skull. This type of brain injury is called a concussion.
Why is Whiplash So Common?
Whiplash is a very common type of car accident injury because it can occur in both high-speed and low-speed accidents. Research has shown that is it not so much the speed of the accident as the position of the head that affects the severity of whiplash injuries. Shorter motorists are less likely to suffer whiplash injuries, because their heads are better protected by the head rests on car seats.
What Should I Do If I Have a Whiplash Injury?
If you have any of the symptoms of whiplash after a car accident—including neck stiffness, neck pain, shoulder pain, headache, numbness, tingling, or decreased range of neck motion—you need to see a doctor. While in many cases there is no treatment for whiplash besides rest and pain medication, if you have a more severe injury you may need physical therapy and/or a cervical collar.
Besides allowing you to get any necessary treatment, visiting the doctor promptly after a car accident will also allow you to have your injuries diagnosed and documented by an expert. This documentation will be vital to any future personal injury claims you may wish to make.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Whiplash Claim?
Yes. Whiplash can actually be a difficult injury to get compensation for, because it is easy to fake or exaggerate. If you try to make your own insurance claim for whiplash injuries, you may not be taken seriously. But if you have an attorney on your side, you can rest assured you will receive full and fair compensation for your whiplash injuries and your pain and suffering.
As the #1 car accident firm in southern California, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker has successfully handled many whiplash injury cases and we know the best strategies for helping you. Call us at 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.
