We all suffer neck pain from time to time. Maybe we slept funny, spent too much time on the computer or played to hard with the kids. While this pain can be great and disruptive, it is likely temporary and will go away on its own. But what if you dealt with neck pain on a daily basis because of a car accident you were involved in? Whether it is a major or minor crash, whiplash is frequently suffered in a crash, and accident victims in Colorado and elsewhere could experience long-term effects from this injury.
To some, whiplash may seem like a minor injury, as it is described as being a neck sprain or strain. However, this accident injury could cause damage to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles and nerve roots. When a victim suffers whiplash in an accident, he or she may not experience symptoms right away. In fact, symptoms could be delayed for 24 hours or more following the incident.
With regards to the symptoms experienced, this includes neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain in the shoulders, lower back pain, pain or numbness in the arms or hands, dizziness, difficulty concentrating or remembering, irritability, disturbance in sleep and fatigue. When it comes to the treatment of this injury, this can vary greatly depending on how in manifests in a victim and the severity of the trauma.
Oftentimes, medical professionals will prescribe pain medications and suggest a treatment plan that could include physical therapy, traction, massages, injections and the use of heat and ice. Other treatment options could include chiropractic care, acupuncture and holistic healthcare options. A CT scan or an MRI can determine the severity of the injury and where it is isolated. This can help determine the best course of treatment, especially when a whiplash injury has caused pain for years.
The symptoms associated with a whiplash injury, whether short-term or long-term, can be very disruptive to one’s life. Additionally, the medical care sought to treat this injury can be costly and last for a long duration. Thus, it is important for accident victims to consider their options when it comes to filing a personal injury action to recover compensation for losses suffered.
The negligence of a motorist can quickly alter one’s life. The injuries suffered by a victim not only leave him or her with physical pain, but they are also likely to endure financial, mental and emotional hardships as well. It can be a very overwhelming time that is challenging to navigate; thus, it is vital that victims understand what rights they have when it comes to addressing current and future harms caused by a motor vehicle accident.
