If you were recently involved in a car accident, there’s a good chance you suffered whiplash. Also called neck strain or sprain, this soft tissue injury is caused by the rapid, back-and-forth movement of the head, and it can occur during any kind of forceful impact. 

Whiplash is especially common after rear-end collisions. Unlike other kinds of accident injuries, though, whiplash does not always manifest immediate symptoms. 

Several hours or even days might pass before you notice the first signs of whiplash. For this reason, you should visit a doctor for a comprehensive evaluation following any kind of accident, regardless of how you feel. If it turns out you did sustain whiplash, prompt medical intervention may prevent complications and reduce the risk of suffering permanent damage. 

In addition to protecting your health and longevity, seeking medical care immediately after an accident might contribute to the strength of your personal injury claim. If you put off treatment, on the other hand, the insurance company may question the severity of your injury or argue that it was caused by something else. The insurer might even say that your decision to put off medical care was negligent, which could affect the settlement calculations.

How Do I Know If I Suffered Whiplash?

While the initial symptoms of whiplash can be subtle, they tend to worsen over time. The most common of these symptoms include:

• Neck pain and stiffness;
• Loss of range of motion in the neck;
• Tenderness in the shoulders, arms, and upper back;
• Dizziness;
• Fatigue;
• Headaches that start at the base of the skull;
• Blurred vision;
• Tinnitus;
• Trouble sleeping; and
• Irritability.

How Do Doctors Treat Whiplash?

There are many ways to treat whiplash, and the best approach can vary from one patient to the next depending on the severity and nature of the injury. Your care plan will focus on facilitating your body’s natural healing process, managing the worst of the symptoms, and preventing permanent damage.  

After being diagnosed with whiplash, your doctor will likely advise you to:

• Apply heat or cold to your neck for 15 minutes at a time;
• Take over-the-counter pain medication; and
• Perform simple stretching exercises every day until your neck’s range of motion is restored. 

If your whiplash is severe, your doctor may prescribe more powerful pain medication. Physical therapy can also contribute to recovery, especially if symptoms persist. Some patients find alternative remedies like acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic adjustments helpful. 

Call 212-421-0300 to Discuss Your Case with a New York City Car Accident Attorney 

At The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny, we understand the emotional and financial toll that unanticipated injuries can take on the whole family. That’s why we fight tirelessly on behalf of each and every client. 

Our attorneys have more than a century of combined experience in the legal field, and we know what it takes to resolve even the most complicated disputes. Call 212-421-0300 or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free case evaluation with a car accident lawyer in New York City.