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
If the whiplash pain persists with little relenting, the victim may have chronic whiplash, and in more severe cases may experience some of the following whiplash-associated trauma:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Drug dependency
- Fatigue
- Frustration
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Isolation
- Stress
These symptoms may point to the crash having a more substantial impact on the psyche and body of the accident victim than they initially believed. Whiplash and its associated injuries can sometimes go undiagnosed, thus untreated.
Victims of whiplash also must battle the minimization of their pain and suffering from those around them, as an internal neck injury cannot be seen like external wounds can. Like those who must endure the pain of migraines, whiplash victims can suffer isolation and disbelief of the extent of their trauma from friends, family and coworkers who simply may not believe the injury is as severe as they make it out to be. The personal injury attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy understand that whiplash can be a severe and debilitating condition, one that must be treated as any spinal injury.
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
Rear-end collisions are thought to be the worst scenario for whiplash, as the force of the oncoming vehicle thrusts the torso forward, whipping the head back immediately after. The victim who was hit is usually stopped, and the oncoming rear car usually collides without any warning. Many factors can contribute to these accidents, such as failure to obey traffic signals or driving under the influence.
Whiplash Injury? Contact An Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Today
The Cincinnati personal injury attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy are here to defend your rights, and we know that the moments after an accident can be some of the most frustrating and frightening ones, depending on the severity of the crash.
Immediately following an accident, contact Ohio emergency medical help, and gather as much information about the accident as possible. There will be many things to consider after the crash, such as medical treatment, whether or not to return to work, how to pay bills or how to handle emotional distress.
Your legal issues are serious, but the legal process doesn’t have to be any more stressful for you and your loved ones. We are proud to offer our professionalism, dedication and expertise to the citizens of Ohio & Northern Kentucky, and we passionately fight for justice for our clients, as we have since 1992.
Let us put our reputation of success to work for you. Call (877) 288-3241 today to discuss the details of your case with our legal staff, confidentially and 100% free. Don’t suffer in silence let experienced and compassionate litigators help you and your loved ones get the justice that you deserve, and hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions.