While whiplash can occur in a variety of activities, it is most commonly associated with a body sitting in a stationary position in a car when being hit from behind by another vehicle. This common injury occurs during an unrestrained forward or backward movement of a person’s neck along with a sudden acceleration or deceleration of their body. This causes the muscles of the neck to be torn or stretched. A whiplash injury is usually inclusive of damage to the soft tissues as well as the bone structures around the neck, head and shoulder areas. Other ways to incur this type of injury include water diving accidents and falls.

Symptoms of Whiplash from Auto Accidents

Often symptoms from whiplash injuries don’t present themselves until several days or even months after a car accident, with 75% of patients symptoms lasting more than six months. The average whiplash sufferer loses eight weeks of work. While whiplash is typically a non-fatal injury, it can lead to partial or prolonged disability. If you are involved in a hit-from-behind incident in a vehicle, you should always get checked out as soon as possible. Whiplash injuries can be costly, and you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, work time lost, and other damages. In any case, be on the lookout for these symptoms:

• Stiff and or painful neck
• Stiff or painful shoulders
• Headache
• Dizziness, fatigue
• Arm pain or weakness
• Jaw pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Back pain

Often, other secondary symptoms will present along with physical symptoms which may warrant additional compensation for damages, including emotional or mood changes such as: depression, anxiety, anger, stress, PTSD, and insomnia.

Fresno Accidents

There have been over 138 vehicle accidents in Fresno since Feb 2018. Since rear-end collisions are the most common type of vehicle accidents in the US, Fresno drivers should know how to handle the possibility of being involved in one. If you are hit from behind in a car accident, first make sure you get medical attention, then watch for symptoms that may develop later. Secondly, call the police and report the accident. Make sure you take photographs, gathering all reports and taking note of witnesses and accident details. When you call your insurance company to report the accident, don’t sign anything, or allow yourself to be recorded. Do not talk to the insurance company for the other party. Do contact your attorneys so they can start investigating your claim as soon as possible.

The Maison Law Firm is a local group of experienced personal injury professionals who will make sure your rights are protected while fighting for the compensation you are entitled to. Don’t wait to contact us when you are dealing with a whiplash injury.