A term first coined in 1928 to describe a common train accident injury, whiplash is best described as an injury to the neck that occurs when an individual experiences rapid acceleration-deceleration force, usually during a car accident. The impact causes the head to quickly snap forward and down, then back, causing damage to the bone structure and soft tissue of the neck. Whiplash is a relatively common injury for those involved in car accidents, and although not usually life threatening, it can cause partial disability if the force of the acceleration-deceleration is strong. A study conducted by the U.S. National Library of Medicines Institute of Health reports that out of a total 113 car accident victims, those who were in the struck vehicle reported complaints of whiplash, but 0 of the striking vehicle occupants had any complaints of pain. Of those 113 victims who experienced whiplash pain, the main diagnoses were 40.6% cervical spine injuries, 22.5 lumbar/ sacral spine injuries, and 10.2% thoracic spine injuries. Injury to the spine can result in a lifetime of discomfort or disability, depending on the severity of the crash and the location of the damage within the spine. Injuries from whiplash can put an enormous amount of financial pressure on the victim, as there will likely be hospital bills and rehabilitative costs from the accident. If you or a loved one experienced whiplash from a car accident you may be eligible for compensation for the physical and mental anguish you endured as a result of the accident. At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, our team of Cincinnati car accident lawyers are well versed in the litigation process, and our goal is to help guide you through a very difficult and confusing time. To find out how we can help you, simply fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on this page, at the top. We fight for the rights of Ohio and Kentucky car accident victims, winning the MAXIMUM amount of compensation available to help them cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages from time out of work, and so much more.
Whiplash Symptoms
Sometimes, accident victims do not think they have incurred any injury following a crash because there was not a lot of damage to the vehicle and there were no major injuries. This is simply not the case with whiplash, as it may take some time for the pain and injury to take effect. The following are some of the most frequently cited symptoms of whiplash from car accidents:- Arm weakness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Jaw pain, or temporomandibular joint pain
- Neck pain, or stiffness
- Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus
- Shoulder pain
- Visual disturbances
- and more
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Drug dependency
- Fatigue
- Frustration
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Isolation
- Stress
Common Causes Of Whiplash
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common source of injuries from whiplash, although it is possible to get whiplash in other situations. The following car accident types are those most commonly associated with whiplash:- Head-on
- Rear-end
- Sideswipe
- Side impact
- Rollover
- Hit & run
