Neck Sprain / Whiplash

Neck Sprain, also known as cervical sprain or "whiplash," is one of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident. It occurs in most cases when the victim's vehicle is struck from the rear by another, causing the neck to be thrown forward and backward, damaging the muscles and soft tissues around the neck. In extreme cases, the bones and nerves in the spine may also be damaged.

Most victims of neck sprain heal within three months, but some have experienced neck pain, back pain, and headaches for years, even decades after the accident. This can lead to lost work time, continuous medical bills, and a huge impact on the victim's quality of life.

If you have been in a car accident, it is important that you visit your doctor or a hospital immediately if you experience any of the following common symptoms:

• Neck pain/stiffness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Burning or prickling around the neck
• Shoulder/back pain

Other symptoms may include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• emory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nervousness or irritability
• Fatigue
• Depression

It is important to note that you may feel fine immediately after your car is struck. Many victims do not experience these symptoms until the next day or even several days after their accidents.

What You Should Do

Seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment can significantly reduce your recovery time, and can help identify more serious problems such as torn ligaments and fractures in the spine. Your doctor will probably ask you a series of questions to determine the extent of your injury, such as the amount of damage done to your car, whether the windshield was shattered, and whether your eyeglasses were thrown to the back seat. Because soft tissue damage is so hard to diagnose, these questions help the doctor determine the severity of the accident and therefore the possible severity of your injuries.

Make sure that your doctor takes detailed notes. The term "neck sprain" covers a variety of different injuries. It is important that you are as specific about the location and intensity of your pain as possible, and that your doctor carefully notes these details should there be any question about the extent of your injuries later.

Contact the expert personal injury lawyers at Jim S. Adler & Associates. No matter how long your pain lasts, there will be medical bills and possibly lost income as a result of another driver's negligence. But insurance companies are in the business of looking out for their own interests, often low-balling your compensation package so that you must pay for some or all of your own bills. Jim S. Adler & Associates is in the business of looking after your interests.

If you suffer from neck sprain after an auto accident, don't suffer alone. Get Jim S. Adler & Associates on your side and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today:

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