Car accidents can cause many different injuries, ranging from mild to severe. One of the most common injuries car accident victims suffer from is a condition known as whiplash.
Whiplash is a type of neck injury often associated with car accidents or trauma. It is a painful condition that results from sprained or torn muscles, ligaments and tendons in the shoulders and neck.
Recovery from whiplash can take months and may cause chronic neck pain as well as other complications. An experienced auto accident attorney in Tulsa may be able to use the medical practitioner’s analysis, as well as any tests, x-rays and follow up records to build and support your claim.
Whiplash Causes and Symptoms
Whiplash occurs when your head, neck and shoulders are abruptly jolted in one direction or another. Rear-end collisions often result in whiplash, as the crash’s impact forces your head forward while your body is held in place by a seat belt.
Immediately after a collision, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream. These chemicals dilute the pain your body is experiencing so it can react to whatever your brain perceives as a threat.
This means the signs associated with whiplash are not always present directly after an auto accident. As these excess hormones leave the body, symptoms of whiplash become more apparent, such as:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders
- Back pain
- Poor range of neck motion
- Tinnitus – ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Pain or soreness in the jaw
- Weakness in one or both arms
- Headaches
- Increased pain when moving the neck
- Fatigue and trouble sleeping
- Dizziness
- Irritability and concentration problems
- Depression
Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for hours or days after a crash. It is important that victims seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and to rule out serious injury.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Whiplash
Victims who have been diagnosed with a severe case of whiplash following an auto accident may be entitled to recover damages through a lawsuit.
You must seek medical attention after the accident as soon as possible. It is important to obtain any documentation that proves you suffered whiplash as a direct result of the collision.
This will help establish liability for the other party involved and show that your condition is not pre-existing.
Once you have sought help from a medical professional, you should contact a Tulsa car accident lawyer for help filing a car accident lawsuit.
Oklahoma is an at-fault state, which means you can seek compensation from the at-fault party in your auto accident.
This evidence is imperative when seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered whiplash or any other type of injury following a car accident, the auto accident attorneys in Tulsa at The Edwards Law Firm will review your case for free to determine if you have legal options. If you do, we will work for no charge unless we help recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.