HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE SUFFERING FROM WHIPLASH?

Whiplash is one of the most common soft tissue injuries those involved in motor vehicle crashes suffer. It typically occurs as a result of a sudden stop and deceleration of a vehicle during an accident, which jerks the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in the neck beyond their normal range of motion. While these types of injuries are often dismissed as minor by insurance companies, whiplash requires immediate medical attention and should be treated seriously. Without medical treatment, a crash victim could end up suffering chronic pain, recurring headaches, and permanent neck stiffness. Always make it a priority to see your doctor immediately after an accident.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE RED FLAGS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THAT INDICATE WHIPLASH:

• Headaches, neck pain, stiff shoulders: Whiplash causes the muscles in your neck to become stiff, which will limit your movement and requires proper treatment to effectively heal and recover. Depending on the severity of your whiplash injury, you could experience mild and intermittent aches, or severe and near-constant pain. In some cases, a whiplash injury could be so severe that the pain could radiate to your shoulders and upper back, in addition to your neck. It could also be accompanied by persistent headaches.

• Vertigo and dizziness: It is not uncommon for one to experience dizziness in the aftermath of a head or neck injury. This is known as post-traumatic vertigo and refers to the false sensation of spinning or a loss of balance. Post-traumatic vertigo is also said to be related to another condition known as cervical vertigo, which is also caused by neck injuries and causes individuals to experience dizziness during movements that involve the neck.

• Blurry vision and ringing ears: This might seem like an unusual symptom, given that whiplash involves your neck muscles, but it is actually not unusual for whiplash sufferers to experience blurred vision and ringing in the ears. If you have difficulty switching your focus between near and distant objects, are experiencing disturbances to your normal eye motion, or are extremely sensitive to light, these could all be related to your whiplash injury.

• Symptoms are often delayed: Do not assume you are in the clear if these red flags are not present after your accident. Oftentimes, symptoms are delayed, especially due to the influx of endorphins and adrenaline pumping through the body in response to this high-stress situation. These fight-or-flight hormones are neurotransmitters that function like natural painkillers and, unfortunately, this means you might not realize you are hurt until later. To avoid putting off much-needed medical attention and treatment, see your doctor as soon as possible even if you feel fine. This will not only protect your health, but your personal injury claim as well.

CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN TULSA

Were you recently injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligent and careless actions of another driver? You might be entitled to compensation that could cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, our Tulsa personal injury attorneys will do what it takes to recover all available compensation.

You will not owe us any legal fees until we are able to win your case!

For the effective representation you deserve, contact us today at 918-492-7674 to schedule a free initial case evaluation with a knowledgeable member of our legal team!