When you are involved in a rear-end accident because of a negligent driver, you may feel okay in the immediate aftermath of the collision. However, in the days that follow, you may develop serious pain in your neck and head. Unfortunately, this can be the result of whiplash. If you have been involved in an accident, understanding the symptoms of whiplash is critical to seeking medical care and mitigating damages. As such, the following blog explores these injuries in further detail and the compensation you can seek with the help of an Ouachita Parish, Louisiana personal injury lawyer if you have suffered this injury.
What Is Whiplash, and What Are Common Symptoms?
Whiplash is a form of neck injury that is caused by a sudden and violent jolt to the head. Essentially, this occurs when someone’s head is forcefully moved backward and forward in a motion similar to the cracking of a whip. As such, the sudden hyperflexion and subsequent hyperextension of the neck can result in serious injuries to the muscles and tendons in the neck, causing pain and discomfort. Some of the most common signs of this injury include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pain and discomfort in your neck
- Headaches, particularly beginning at the base of your skull
- Blurry vision
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Neck stiffness
- Pain in your upper back, shoulders, and arms
- Tingling or numbness in your arms
- Tinnitus
- Fatigue
Due to how common these injuries are, many assume they are always minor. While this is the case for some instances of whiplash, others can be so severe that they result in vertebral fractures of the spine.
How Can I Recover Compensation for These Injuries?
Unfortunately, because many assume that whiplash is a minor injury with minimal complications, victims are often left unaware that they can seek compensation for the damages they’ve suffered. However, as these injuries can result in damages, it’s critical to understand your rights in these matters. Generally, you’ll find that the most common compensation you can recover is economic damages, like compensation for medical expenses or time taken off work to heal.
In addition, you will likely be able to seek justice for the non-economic damages you’ve endured, including the mental anguish, pain and suffering, and emotional impact of this injury on your life. You should note that it can be more difficult to seek compensation for these damages, as they are subjective and harder to prove.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve, the team at Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, LLC is ready to assist. We understand how complicated this process can be to navigate, which is why we are committed to helping you in the fight for the best possible outcome. Contact us today to learn more.