Rear-end auto accidents can happen anywhere on Fairfield County roads, and for the driver in the front car, they are usually unavoidable. Whether you’re stopped at a traffic signal or slowing down in traffic, you could be struck from behind at any given moment by a driver who is speeding or not paying attention.
Your pain and discomfort may seem minor enough to brush off. Perhaps you may not experience any injury symptoms at all. But after a rear-end accident, you will most likely experience whiplash, a spinal injury that affects the neck and upper back.
Cause and effect of whiplash
Whiplash occurs after a crash victim’s head jerks forward and backward rapidly. The impact causes the connective tissue around the spine to overstretch. In severe cases, muscles and tendons can be torn.
It doesn’t take much impact to cause whiplash. Even a small fender bender can result in mild symptoms. However, if left untreated, the symptoms can worsen over time and can even become permanent.
If you have sustained whiplash after a rear-end auto accident, you may experience immediate symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms take days to appears. They include:
- Tension and limited range of motion in the neck, upper back, and shoulders
- Head tension and pain in the temples, jaw, and face
- Chronic fatigue
- Dizziness
- Disorientation and trouble concentrating
- Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
- Blurry vision
- Disrupted sleep
- Irritability, depression, moodiness
- Tingling or burning in limbs that can extend to the hands
Medical treatment for whiplash
Depending on the severity of your crash, recovering from whiplash can take months. Initially, your doctor will determine your level of pain and range of motion. Medical treatment often includes, but is not limited to:
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic treatment
- Prescription medication
- Pain management
Filing an auto accident claim
These procedures can leave you with a heap of medical expenses. If you think filing a claim and receiving compensation is a simple process, think again. If you suffer from whiplash after a rear-end accident, insurance companies will likely try to downplay your claim. They might say that you’re lying about your injuries or that your claim is too small to bother with.
No injury is too small for recovery. The sooner you get treated for whiplash, the better. An experienced Fairfield County auto accident attorney can negotiate with insurance companies and urge them to do the right thing. Contact Vishno Law Firm today to learn more.