Whiplash injuries are very common in auto accidents; many car accident victims end up with these injuries. A whiplash injury occurs when neck muscles or tendons move unnaturally, causing a strain and injury. However, they do not quickly present symptoms, meaning if you were involved in a car accident in Maine, you could have whiplash without knowing.
Moreover, whiplash injuries typically do not manifest until hours, maybe even days after an accident. Many accident victims end up seeking treatment late, oftentimes when the injuries have worsened. This article sheds more light on whiplash injuries, their consequences, and treatment.
Whiplash: The Most Common Soft Tissue Injury
Hundreds of thousands of people will experience common whiplash injuries in Maine every year. While the most common cause of whiplash injuries is a car accident, it can also occur due to other accidents.
Car accidents, even low-speed collisions, can result in whiplash injuries, which tend to worsen if survivors do not seek prompt treatment. Many times, the driver or passenger has no other serious injuries; therefore, they walk away thinking they are fine. However, hours or days later, they will start to experience severe pain, and their movement will be limited.
Apart from car accidents, slips and falls can also cause a whiplash injury, as can contact sports like football or hockey. A whiplash injury can present a number of symptoms, typically including stiffness or pain in the back or neck. That can either be because of strained ligaments or neck muscle sprain, or the bones were fractured in the accident.
Generally, when the head has been forcefully jolted, one may experience headaches, the intensity of which depends on the level of force. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light, inability to concentrate for long, and short- or long-term memory issues.
Whiplash: The Consequences
Failing to get prompt treatment for whiplash can result in dire consequences, including difficulty moving your head in a range of motion. The result of that is difficulty performing basic tasks, driving, or working, or you may have difficulty sleeping at night. These can result in other things – for instance, a lack of sleep can lead to overeating and other symptoms consistent with depression.
Furthermore, neck muscle or tendon injuries may cause poor posture, and over time, they could become strained, stretched, or harmed. Eventually, one may become stuck with foot, hip, or knee pain that never goes away. Moreover, whiplash injuries can also require months or even years of physical therapy to treat them properly.
The Treatment of Whiplash Injuries
If you are experiencing any symptoms of whiplash, contact a medical practitioner immediately for immediate medical care. Additionally, you should consider going for counseling, or whatever will help you deal with the mental repercussions. Also, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions religiously, as defaulting on one simple instruction could have dire consequences.
Meanwhile, how long the treatment takes will depend on the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident. Treatment of whiplash can go on for months or even years – or a lifetime, thus resulting in overwhelming medical bills.
Conclusion: Your Legal Options
The financial consequences of sustaining a whiplash injury can amount to a lot, which is why you should consider consulting a lawyer. A Maine personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation for your injuries, which can help to cover your medical expenses. “Apart from medical expenses, you can also get compensation for lost income due to your inability to work because of the injuries,” says attorney Benjamin Gideon.
Media Information:
Gideon Asen LLC
115 Franklin St STE 2A
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 495-8167
https://www.gideonasen.com/
