Whiplash Injuries Caused by Rear End and Other Accidents

A whiplash injury occurs when the head and neck quickly move backward and then forward again, putting extreme stress on the cervical spine. One of the most common causes of whiplash is a rear-end car accident. There are some other possible causes, such as an assault. Whiplash is more formally known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome.

Whiplash symptoms

Many times, the symptoms don’t appear for 24 hours, which is why anyone involved in a rear-end collision should see a doctor or go their local emergency room as soon as possible after the accident.

What is a whiplash injury?

“Cervical accelerated deceleration” (CAD) describes the general mechanism of a whiplash injury. The exact injury mechanism is unknown, but could be caused by an impulsive stretching of the spine. To the medical community, whiplash is typically known as a sprain or strain to the neck.

Symptoms of whiplash

Symptoms typically appear within one to three days after an accident. Signs and symptoms of whiplash are:

• Aches in neck and back
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Numbness in the arm and/or hand
• Pain in neck and back
• Shoulder pain

If you have been involved in a car, truck, motorcycle, railroad or other type of accident and think you have whiplash, immediately seek medical attention. A physician can diagnose your condition with the help of a CT scan or an MRI. Nashville car accident attorneys can evaluate your situation and determine whether you can sue the liable party.

Sprains and strains of the neck area can cause whiplash. Damage to nerves, discs, bones, and joints can also cause neck pain. Other symptoms can include dizziness, vision difficulties, and a ringing of the ears. People with whiplash often suffer emotional problems trying to cope with their pain. Some whiplash patients may even suffer memory loss.

To diagnose whiplash, the doctor will start with an oral history and then conduct a physical exam. The physician will:

• Look for signs of misalignment
• Feel for any palpations
• Examine the patient’s range of motion

Additional whiplash physical tests can include checking the patient’s neck reflexes, muscle power, and look for any tingling sensations. Diagnostic test such as X-Rays, CT scans, and MRIs are generally only ordered if nerve damage or a fracture is suspected.

Doctors may use the Quebec Task Force Classification to grade the severity of the whiplash. Whiplash can be graded from Grade 0 for the least severe type, to Grade IV for the most severe.

Care and treatment for whiplash

Many patients will be told that they can treat whiplash through:

• Rest
• Ice and/or heat
• Over the counter medications, such as Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, and Motrin

In the past, doctors might recommend a cervical collar be worn, but there is a counter-thought that collars may make the condition worse by weakening the neck muscles.

Medical treatment for whiplash includes:

• Physical therapy
• Prescription pain medications
• Injections
• Psychotherapy
• Manual manipulation by a chiropractor or other health professional
• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy

Radiofrequency neurotomy is another possible treatment.

Most cases of whiplash resolve in about three months, though some cases can last a lifetime. Older people and women are more likely to have extended damage from whiplash than younger people and men.

A whiplash injury can prevent you from working, from doing daily activities, and from enjoying your life. At the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we take every injury seriously. Our Gladiators in Suits fight to get clients in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Knoxville compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. To speak with one of our Nashville car accident attorneys, please call us at 615-425-2500 or complete our contact form for an appointment.