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Whiplash results when a person’s head quickly and forcefully moves backward and then forward. It is a common injury for people involved in auto accidents. While they may only seem to cause minor pain at first, whiplash injuries can lead to serious, long-term problems.

Signs of Whiplash Injuries

If you are experiencing “flu-like” symptoms, they could be signs of whiplash or another neck injury. Whiplash symptoms usually develop within 24 hours of the crash, according to Mayo Clinic. Victims may experience problems such as:

• Stiff neck or decreased range of motion in the neck
• Headache
• Dizziness, vertigo or balance problems
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Ringing in the ears
• Pain, tingling or numbness is any body part
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating

Some people with whiplash may also suffer from blurred vision, irritability, depression, and more. Most people recover from their whiplash injuries, but some have residual issues that can last for months or years.

The neck is a very sensitive part of your body. The force of a car accident can push the bones of your neck out of alignment and put pressure on the spinal nerves. If a nerve is pinched, bruised or damaged, you might experience pain or numbness in your arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers or toes. But, the pain can be mild, especially at first. The injury is also likely to cause swelling and soft tissue damage. It’s the soft-tissue damage that causes flu-like symptoms.

Tell your doctor about your symptoms and ask for a CT scan or MRI to check for injury in your neck. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash won’t show up on an x-ray.

Get Medical Help, No Matter How You Feel

If you were in a car accident, getting medical attention right away is critical. You may feel like you were not injured at all, or that your injuries were very minor. But the severity of some injuries show up later. The sooner you see a physician, the better.

If you’re experiencing neck pain, a physician may conduct an imaging test, such as an X-ray or MRI. These tests help determine the severity of the injury and can help dictate the best treatment.

Having a doctor’s record of your injuries from day one is also helpful, should you file a lawsuit against the responsible driver.

Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer

If someone’s carelessness led to your auto accident injuries, it’s important to seek legal help. An experienced attorney can protect your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve for your medical treatment and other related bills.

The auto accident lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers have been helping victims for decades. We have obtained million-dollar recoveries for some of our clients. If you sustained whiplash injuries or other problems in a car accident, we can help. Feel free to contact us for a free consultation.