The drivers and passengers involved in motor vehicle accidents often suffer injuries such as whiplash. A neck injury, whiplash occurs when the force of collisions causes the neck to rapidly snap back-and-forth.
Understanding the symptoms of whiplash and what to expect from their injuries may help those who suffer such trauma to recover appropriate compensation for their injuries and associated losses.
Common whiplash symptoms
According to WebMD.com, suffering whiplash may cause people to experience various symptoms. Some of the most common of these include the following:
- Neck pain
- Neck tightness or decreased range of motion
- Tenderness
- Headache
For some, these symptoms may appear immediately following their neck trauma. Others who suffer whiplash may not experience symptoms for several hours or even days after their accidents.
Diagnosis of whiplash
According to the Mayo Clinic, to diagnose neck injuries, medical providers may conduct an exam and perform various tests. This may include asking crash victims to perform various tasks like turning their heads from side to side and tilting their heads back and forth, as well as touching and moving their heads and necks. Doctors may also order imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans or MRIs.
Whiplash recovery
Whiplash injuries typically heal within a few days. To help alleviate the symptoms, doctors may advise people to use ice, heat and over-the-counter painkillers. Wearing a neck brace or collar for a short period and treatments such as massage and ultrasound may also help. In other cases, it may take weeks or more for these types of injuries to heal. Factors like the severity of people’s injuries and each person’s bodies may affect their recovery times.