You’ve been involved in a car accident. Now what? If you feel mostly all right, it may be tempting to forego medical treatment. But did you know that symptoms of whiplash can take days, or sometimes even weeks to appear?

Car accidents are not the only way you may sustain a whiplash injury. Whiplash is also common in contact sports such as football, and in cases of physical assault. Any time the head is suddenly jolted forward and then back again, a whiplash injury may occur.

What Happens During a Whiplash Injury?

During a whiplash injury, the head suddenly jerks forward and backward. This stretches and tears the muscles and tendons of your neck, leading to neck strain. Some incidents of whiplash can even result in a concussion.

While some cases of whiplash resolve within a period of days, other cases take weeks to months to resolve. In cases where symptoms persist after six months, the whiplash injury is considered chronic and may last a lifetime.

What do I do if I may have a Whiplash Injury?

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle, sporting, or other accident that may have caused whiplash, remember that symptoms may be immediate or may take time to develop. This means that you should seek medical attention at once, regardless of your current symptoms. Contact your medical provider to be evaluated for whiplash.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

Symptoms of whiplash may include:

• stiffness or tightness of the neck
• pain in the neck, including when rocking your head forward and backward, or side to side
• decreased range of motion
• headaches
• tender, knotted, or tight feeling muscles

How Severe is a Whiplash Injury?

Many factors contribute to the severity of a whiplash injury, including gender, age, physical fitness, physical conditions, past neck injuries, and the force of impact that caused the injury.

Your physician may prescribe a variety of treatments to help you recover from injury. Potential treatments may include:

• icing or heating your neck
• pain killers or other medication
• massage or chiropractic care
• a neck brace or collar
• physical therapy, including rotation exercises that help with range of motion
• rest

Are all Cases of Whiplash Treated the Same?

Not all cases of whiplash are treated the same way. The care of a physician is vital, as injuries and treatments vary from individual to individual. In some cases, too much rest may lead to more severe injury, including permanently losing range of motion. In other cases, too much activity may prevent the healing process. It is also possible that delaying treatment can cause the injury to worsen and become much more severe.

Seeking Help for Whiplash Injury

If you have sustained a whiplash injury, the first course of action is to seek medical attention to avoid having the injury become much worse.

After you have sought out help from your medical provider, contact Costa Ivone Injury Lawyers. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain, suffering, and medical therapies. Let us do the legal work so you can focus on your recovery.