What to Do If You Get Whiplash in a Car Accident

Whiplash is unfortunately a very common injury in car accidents. Car accidents involve rapid acceleration-deceleration forces that cause the neck to both hyperextend and rapidly flex, which is where the injury occurs. The strain on your neck can cause whiplash, which varies quite a bit in severity.

Whiplash is also very often downplayed or minimized, which means people may not take it seriously until they realize it’s not going away. We’re here to fight for you if a Connecticut car accident has left you injured. Call Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC today.

What is whiplash?

This injury is caused by the rapid and forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons may be sprained or strained in the process. It’s often compared to the cracking of a whip, which is where it gets its name. One of the most common causes of whiplash is rear-end car accidents, but other types of collisions can cause it, as well as falls, sports accidents, and abuse.

What are the most common symptoms of whiplash?

The most common symptom of whiplash is neck pain, which may also include neck stiffness. People tend to expect a little neck soreness after a crash, but once the adrenaline settles, that soreness may turn into full-on pain. You may realize that you need medical care when you can’t turn your head fully to the left or right. Other symptoms of whiplash are:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches, especially those that radiate from the base of the skull
• Limited range of motion in the neck
• Shoulder and upper back pain
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating

Depending on the severity of your accident and how long it takes adrenaline to fully wear off, you may notice symptoms within a matter of hours or days. This delay is one reason that whiplash is easily overlooked.

Worried about whiplash after a car accident? We recommend following these steps.

Step 1: Seek medical attention

This should be non-negotiable after a car accident. In fact, one of the first questions your Connecticut car accident lawyer will ask you is whether or not you’ve gotten checked out by a doctor. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to seek medical care.

Step 2: Follow your treatment plan

Once you’re diagnosed with whiplash, follow your doctor’s treatment plan. This may include pain medication, physical therapy, mobility exercises, and stretching. Also, make sure to attend all follow-up appointments. Following your doctor’s instructions isn’t just important for your physical health. It’s also important for your personal injury case.

Step 3: Document symptoms and recovery

Documentation is a major part of personal injury claims. These injuries aren’t always visible, so you have to put in a little more effort to demonstrate exactly how your injury has affected your life. You may want to keep a record of:

• Pain levels and how they change with time or after certain activities
• Activities you can’t do any longer or that you struggle to complete
• Missed work days or reduced productivity
• Obligations you have to outsource to other people due to your injury
• Sleep disturbances
• Emotional effects of your injury

This documentation can strengthen your claim for both economic and non-economic damages.

Step 4: Gather evidence

The strength of your claim doesn’t just come from proof of your injury. It also comes from proof of the accident and its role in your injury. You may want to get photos of vehicle damage and the crash scene, a police report documenting the collision, contact information for eyewitnesses, and insurance details from involved parties.

Step 5: Be careful when dealing with insurance companies

Be careful about what you tell insurance companies. Avoid giving a recorded statement unless you’ve spoken to your car accident attorney first. Also, don’t downplay your symptoms, and avoid granting them broad, full access to your medical records. Let your lawyer handle communication with them.

How are whiplash claims valued?

When you start your personal injury claim, your injuries may be valued and assessed in different ways. Insurance companies (and juries, if your case goes to court) may look at factors like:

• Severity and duration of your symptoms
• Type and length of medical treatment
• Your ability to work
• Impact on your overall well-being

Fair compensation may include money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and any other accident-related losses. Compensation may be reduced if you are found partially responsible for the accident under Connecticut’s comparative negligence rules.

A lot depends on the specifics of your injury, since whiplash can be mild enough to heal without intervention, serious enough to cause chronic pain, and anywhere in between.

Find out how Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC can help you after a car accident

If you’ve suffered whiplash after a car accident, it’s time to talk to a lawyer. We’re here to evaluate your case, help you understand your options, and get your claim started. Contact us online or give us a call.