If you know someone who has been injured in a car accident, you may have heard the term “whiplash” used. But what exactly is a whiplash injury? What causes it, and how can you treat it? Here’s everything you need to know about how whiplash injuries occur and how to get medical treatment for your whiplash injury without paying out of your own pocket.
Seeing A Doctor Or Therapist For Whiplash Injuries Caused By A Car Accident
If your injuries were caused by an auto accident, you might be surprised to find out that many doctors simply won’t treat car accident victims. This is often due to the fact that many doctors don’t want to be subpoenaed to testify in court. Many doctors also aren’t sure if the treatment that is related to a car accident will be covered by health insurance, so they tend just to avoid the situation altogether.
Some doctors specialize in treating whiplash and will actually wait to be paid until your auto accident case is resolved. This is made possible through a Letter of Protection.
How To Not Pay Out Of Pocket - Letter Of Protection
A Letter of Protection is like a contract that involves the medical provider and the lawyer. In the Letter of Protection, a personal injury lawyer promises to pay the medical provider once the case is resolved through settlement or trial. This way, the chiropractor, physical therapist, or doctor can be confident that they will be paid at some point. One added benefit is that these doctors are also willing to testify on your behalf if your case goes to court.
Find An LOP Whiplash Doctor Near You Now
Call (817) 244-6453 for a free consultation. If you have a personal injury case, we can help you find a whiplash doctor that’s close to your home or work.
In most cases, we’re able to help our clients be seen on the same day that they call us.
Whiplash Injury Compensation After A Car Crash
It’s important to remember that insurance adjusters don’t just give away money for whiplash injuries. Your injury must be documented. The best thing you can do is go see a doctor as soon as you realize that you’re experiencing symptoms of whiplash.
A doctor will be able to help relieve the pain you are experiencing and, if appropriate, prescribe pain medications and muscle relaxors. A doctor, or physical therapist, will also be able to document your journey toward recovery. Your medical records will include details about the severity of your injury and if you made a full recovery or will have lingering pain. The records will also spell out exactly what was needed for you to find relief from your neck pain.
What Is Whiplash?
A whiplash injury is a type of neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and violently jerked forward or backward. The resulting motion strains the neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion, causing pain and stiffness.
Whiplash injuries are most commonly caused by car accidents, especially rear-end collisions. The force of the impact from the collision lurches the head and neck at a high rate of speed, which the human body isn’t capable of handling. The impact of a car accident causes strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck However, whiplash can also be caused by other forms of trauma, such as a fall or a sports injury.
Symptoms Of Whiplash
Symptoms of whiplash will vary from person to person, but the following list includes many of the more common symptoms of whiplash.
Pain and stiffness in your neck
Pain that becomes worse when you move your neck
Limited beck range of motion
Difficulty sleeping
Headaches
Irritability
Pain in your shoulders, upper back, or arms
Numbness or tingling sensations in your arms
Irregular fatigue
Memory issues
Severe Pain
Trouble concentrating
Depression
Feeling Dizzy
Blurry vision
Is Whiplash The Same As Normal Neck Pain?
Most people have had stiffness in their necks after an awkward night of sleep or even a forceful sneeze. Typical neck injuries can be caused by stress, posture issues, repetitive motions, or holding their neck in an abnormal position for an extended period of time.
Whiplash injuries actually stretch the muscle and ligaments of the neck, so simply resting your neck for a day or two won’t make the pain go away.
How is Whiplash Treated?
Every whiplash injury is unique, but here are some of the most common forms of treatment:
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Over-the-counter anti inflammatory drugs, which are also often referred to as nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs can also play an important role in your recovery. These include medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen. These medications can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Ice Therapy
Ice can also be applied to the affected area for 15 minutes at a time to help with pain and swelling. The Mayo Clinic suggests using ice treatments every three hours.
Heat Therapy
After 48 hours have passed since the neck pain began, heat can be used instead of ice to help with pain relief. Again, the Mayo Clinic recommends limiting heat therapy to approximately 15 minutes every three hours.
Prescription Medications
In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medication or muscle relaxors that are more effective than over the counter anti inflammatory drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re currently taking any other medications so you can avoid adverse reactions with other medications.
Physical Therapy For Whiplash
Physical therapy exercises may also be recommended to help with your neck sprain by stretching and strengthening the muscles in your neck. These exercises will initially be gentle exercises that are gradually increased in intensity as your neck muscles heal.
It’s important to follow your physical therapist’s recommendations and not push yourself too hard, as this could make your neck injuries even worse.
Resting Your Neck
Finally, rest is an important part of recovery. Avoid activities that put a strain on your neck muscles until your doctor gives you the green light.
How Can I Avoid Getting Whiplash Or Chronic Pain In A Car Accident?
Avoiding car accidents is the best way not to get whiplash, but it’s impossible to control other drivers on the road. According to The Cleveland Clinic, you can reduce your risk of getting whiplash from an accident if you position your seat and headrest appropriately. It’s recommended to look at your car’s manual to see what the recommended position is for your specific vehicle.
Wearing your seat belt as it’s intended to be worn is also important for avoiding whiplash injuries. Make sure your seatbelt is snug against your body.
The doctors at The Cleveland Clinic also recommend that you place your head against your headrest if you see or hear any signs that a car accident is about to happen.
See A Doctor ASASP To Have Your Whiplash Injury Diagnosed
Many of our personal injury clients have neck pain and even chronic pain after they’ve been injured in an auto accident. The information on this page has been gathered from data provided by the Mayo Clinic, The Cleveland Clinic, and other sources available on the web. But at the end of the day, we’re simply a law firm that is trying to help people have a general understanding of whiplash symptoms and what they can do when whiplash injuries occur.
Even if you go directly to credible medical websites that discuss whiplash associated disorders, you will not be able to accurately diagnose the cause of your neck strain or determine the type of whiplash treatment you should receive. So please do not underestimate the importance of seeing a qualified medical professional right away.
Free Consultation With A Personal Injury Lawyer
Whiplash injuries may seem like minor injuries, but they can actually cause a lot of pain and suffering. If you’ve sustained a whiplash injury, it’s important to seek treatment so that you can get on the road to recovery. It’s also important to speak with a car accident lawyer who can help you receive compensation for your medical bills, prescription medications, and pain and suffering.
Call Allbee Law Firm at (817) 244-6453 if you’ve sustained a whiplash injury in a car crash. Our personal injury attorneys can help you know your legal rights and help you find a healthcare provider who can help relieve the pain you’re feeling.
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