Whiplash: A Harsh Injury After a Crash

One of the most frequent types of car accidents that happens in South Florida is commonly referred to as a “whiplash” accident.  Most insurance companies like to use the term whiplash to minimize a person’s claim, suggesting that a whiplash injury isn’t serious.  But for anyone that has ever suffered a whiplash injury, the pain and discomfort can be severe. Our Fort Lauderdale whiplash attorney has handled hundred of whiplash cases over the years and we understand your situation.

Have You Suffered a “Significant” or “Permanent” Injury after a Car Wreck?

When seeking to recover your losses after a car accident, it is important to understand the implications of Florida’s “no-fault” auto insurance system. Under this system, you are limited to filing a personal injury protection (PIP) claim unless you can prove that you have suffered a “significant” or “permanent” injury. While Florida’s no-fault statute does not define what it means for an injury to be “significant,” it does provide that filing a claim outside of PIP requires:

• “Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function;”
• “Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement;” or,
• “Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement.”

What is Whiplash?

A whiplash injury refers to a forceful, rapid back and forth movement of the neck.  It is called whiplash because the movement of your neck is similar to how a whip is cracked.  Significant rear end car accidents are the most common type of accidents where you will suffer a whiplash injury.  However, even accidents where your car is hit from the side or head-on can result in the back and forth, or side to side, movement that produces the whiplash effect.  The sudden jerking of the head and neck can strain the joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots which result in a lot of pain.  If the discs and nerve roots become damaged, you can even have numbness or tingling which extends into your arms and hands.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

The main problem with whiplash injuries is that it can take days for your symptoms to appear.  Many of our clients tells us they felt fine after their car accident, but 2-3 days later, they wake up with pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion in their neck, headaches, and overall soreness in the shoulders, upper back and neck and even into your arms.  Other whiplash symptoms you may experience are blurred vision, ringing in your ears, difficulty sleeping, and problems with your concentration or memory.

Treating Whiplash after a Car Accident

The best remedy for treating a whiplash injury from a car accident is getting medical care soon after your accident and symptoms occur.  You may often benefit from some at-home remedies by applying ice to your neck using a thin towel or cloth.  Many doctors also will recommend the use of ibuprofen like Advil or Aleve to reduce the inflammation.  However, the best course of action is to get in to see a doctor to have your injury fully examined.  You can treat with a chiropractor or an orthopedic – both doctors are trained in treating car accident injuries.  Whiplash injuries are like any other car accident injury – some are minor, and some can be very severe.  A doctor will be the best person to evaluate how severe the accident injury is and the best form of medical care to help minimize your pain and discomfort.

There are additional medical treatments the doctor can administer to help you with your whiplash injury.   Some of these treatments are:

• The use of a neck collar or brace – a neck collar or brace adds support to your neck to allow your neck time to recuperate and heal
• Moist heat to your neck, but usually only after a few days of icing
• Physical Therapy
• Chiropractic manipulation
• Ultrasound
• Massage

Depending on whether your symptoms improve, and how quickly they improve, your doctor may also want to have you undergo an MRI scan to determine the extent of the injury.

The Maus Law Firm has been helping clients who suffered car accident whiplash injuries for more than 20 years.  Many times, we will hear from our clients they do not want to get medical care thinking the symptoms will go away on their own, when many times the symptoms will continue to persist.  It is important for you to be seen by a doctor soon after the injury to give you the best chance at a full recovery, and to maximize the value of your car accident claim.  After you’ve been seen, contact a Fort Lauderdale whiplash attorney at our firm today.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Whiplash Lawyer to Discuss Your Case for Free

With offices in Fort Lauderdale, our law firm represents individuals and families throughout South Florida in cases involving serious automobile accident injuries. If you, your child, your spouse or another member of your close family has been injured, we encourage you to contact us for a free initial consultation. To schedule an appointment with top rated Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney Joseph Maus as soon as possible, please call 855-999-5297 or submit your case online today.