Whiplash is a common injury in many car accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. A Texas car accident can trigger a cascade of physical and emotional responses. The flood of adrenaline from an impact can make thinking clearly challenging and mask physical pain and other signs of injury. In the aftermath of the crash, it can be tough for victims to identify whether an aching neck is from stress or a delayed symptom of whiplash.
Recognizing the symptoms of whiplash after a car crash in Texas is imperative for victims to get the medical care they need while building a whiplash injury claim for fair compensation.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a painful neck injury. Whiplash occurs due to a rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. This sudden force that propels the head and neck forward and back resembles the cracking of a whip, giving it its name. The condition is often associated with rear-end car accidents, falls, and sports-related injuries.
Common Whiplash Symptoms
Recognizing the signs of whiplash means understanding the wide variety of whiplash symptoms that can be associated with this type of neck injury. Some of the most common whiplash symptoms that occur following a Texas car accident include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that intensifies with movement
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, typically at the base of the skull
- Tenderness or stiffness in the shoulders or upper back
- Tingling down the arms
In some instances, individuals may also experience other symptoms, such as dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, trouble focusing or concentrating, and other concerns. They may also have delayed symptoms of whiplash; some symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after the injury.
When to Seek Medical Attention
After a car accident, one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect yourself and the integrity of a whiplash compensation claim is to seek immediate medical attention for any potential injuries. Even low-speed accidents can cause painful whiplash injuries that the adrenaline rush of the incident can mask. Without proper treatment, whiplash can lead to chronic and severe pain, neck stiffness, and discomfort.
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is also beneficial for substantiating your whiplash compensation claim. Without timely medical documentation, an insurer can attempt to deny your personal injury claim by saying your injuries do not exist or were not directly caused by the car accident.
Steps to Take After Suspecting Whiplash
If you suspect you may have suffered whiplash injuries following a Texas car accident, protect yourself and your compensation claim by taking these steps:
- Contact law enforcement and report the accident.
- Get medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible.
- Document the scene and ask for witness contact information.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurer without legal representation.
- Contact a Texas car accident attorney for help.
- Stay off social media.
- Follow your doctor’s medical advice and keep all follow-up appointments.
- Keep detailed records of your treatment plan, medical bills, repair receipts, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Minor whiplash cases can often be treated with rest and over-the-counter pain medication. Severe whiplash cases may require a patient to wear a cervical collar, take prescription muscle relaxers, or undergo physical therapy.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
At Burch Law Firm, our New Braunfels car accident injury attorneys put your well-being first. You deserve to work with an experienced attorney from the start, getting top-tier legal representation and advice to help you pursue maximum compensation for your whiplash injuries.
Contact our office now to arrange a free consultation.
