We’ve all heard of whiplash, but unless you’re actually suffering from the condition, you may not know exactly what it is. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with car accidents, and it can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. It can also result in complications that render a car accident victim temporarily unable to work and temporarily unable to enjoy his or her daily activities.
Whiplash injuries happen during car accidents because these injuries are associated with the neck. When the head gets whipped around in a serious collision, it can cause considerable strain on the neck. Muscles, joints and ligaments can all become strained as a result of the intense gravitational forces involved in such a collision.
Perhaps the most unusual thing about whiplash is the way it may take a day or two to show up. You might be involved in a serious auto collision, go home, wake up the next day and feel fine. Then, on the second or third day, you find yourself in extreme and debilitating pain. Much like soreness following an intense workout at the gym, whiplash injuries could also take time to intensify. If you find that you’re feeling a strong pain in your neck in the days that follow a car accident, be sure to seek immediate medical assistance and treatment.
Car accident victims with whiplash may also want to investigate their legal rights and options in terms of pursuing financial compensation relating to the costs of their medical care. Various options and strategies may be available to vehicle accident victims in this regard.