Rear-end accidents a leading cause of whiplash

It doesn’t take much more than a bump from the vehicle behind you at a stoplight to cause whiplash. Rear-end accidents are a leading cause of whiplash due to the likelihood of the neck sharply jerking back and forth. This creates many problems as discs in the neck, bones, muscles and can even impact the spine.

Whiplash symptoms may not emerge immediately. They can take up to 24 hours to surface and symptoms include neck stiffness or pain, loss of range of motion in neck and headaches. Dizziness and numbness in the neck area are other common symptoms.

Certain people are more susceptible to whiplash. Those who have had the condition before are more vulnerable than those who haven’t. People who were managing preexisting back and neck issues and older populations are also more susceptible. However, younger people with no previous history of whiplash or back and neck problems should also heed the symptoms of whiplash.

When to seek medical attention

Visiting a doctor is a good idea if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Advanced signs of whiplash include memory loss, blurred vision and difficulty concentrating. A physician will tell you if you’re dealing with whiplash or something more.

Seeing a physician as soon as possible can be crucial when dealing with insurance following an accident. You want your medical expenses documented as early and well as you can. Whiplash and other conditions resulting from accidents can even worsen if left untreated.