With over 270,000 whiplash injury incidents occurring each year on average, whiplash is a common injury experienced in rear-end automotive collisions.
Characterized as a group of symptoms that occur to the neck, shoulders and back, when whiplash occurs, the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles and nerve roots can become damaged due to the force of the head movement in an accident.
Victims often experience the feelings of sore muscles surrounding the neck and shoulder area, tingling sensations in their upper extremities and even pain in their lower back region.
If you suffered from whiplash injury after being involved in a Knoxville, Tennessee auto accident that was not your fault, we can help.
To find out how, please fill out and submit the "Free Case Review" form located to the right.
Common Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, with most whiplash symptoms appearing within 24 hours of the injury. It is not uncommon for symptoms of whiplash to go away temporarily, only to return a few days later.
After being involved in a collision, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from whiplash:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
- Pain or numbness in arms and/or hands
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Irritability, fatigue and insomnia
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Dizziness
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
Studies have shown that women are generally more likely to suffer from whiplash than men, however - as whiplash injuries can range from mild to severe, if you have been involved in an accident and sustained a whiplash injury, it's important to be examined by a licensed medical practitioner.
Whiplash Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Whiplash diagnosis and treatment often depends on the severity of the injury however, as symptoms of whiplash may not be apparent right away, it is often difficult to detect the precise level damage that has been sustained.
In most cases, as damage has been done to soft tissues, which are not seen on standard X-rays, the full diagnosis of often requires specialized imaging tests, like CT scans or MRIs.
Most physicians will advise patients to take over-the-counter pain medication; however, if the neck pain is severe, a doctor may prescribe prescription painkillers, injections or to attend physical therapy to help alleviate symptoms. In extreme cases, surgery may also be an option.
Depending on the severity of the injury, whiplash can take anywhere from a few weeks to up to a year to completely heal. In some instances, whiplash can become a chronic condition that can become disabling - with the causes of chronic pain usually being linked to joint damage, injury to discs or damage to ligaments in the neck.
In the past, whiplash was treated with a soft cervical collar. The purpose of the collar was to reduce the range of motion in the neck and to prevent any further injury from occurring. However, this method of treatment is being phased out by most physicians, as recent studies have demonstrated that prolonged immobilization of the neck actually slows the healing process rather than helping it.
How Can Greg Coleman Law Can Help You?
Fortunately, whiplash is not usually a life-threatening injury and is often overcome in a one to two year period. However, it can lead to a prolonged period of partial disability, which may result in financial losses due to medical care, lost wages, outpatient treatments and other related expenses.
Even if you have been involved in a minor collision, there is still a strong possibility that you may suffer from whiplash. This type of injury is very common, especially in rear-end collisions, and is often either ignored or mistreated due to the lack of understanding of the condition.
With decades of experience helping injury victims throughout Tennessee, the Knoxville whiplash injury lawyer at Greg Coleman Law is ready to help with your injury litigation. Our team have won over $250 Million in verdicts and settlements for our clients, and will fight for your MAXIMUM injury compensation.
Contact Our Knoxville Whiplash Injury Attorney Today
For more information on the legal rights which may be available to Knoxville whiplash injury victims or to schedule a no-obligation consultation with an injury attorney in Knoxville at our firm, contact us today on (865) 247-0080. A member from our intake team will collect some information about you incident, and then connect you with one of our lawyers - it's that easy.
We offer a 100% FREE initial case review, and work on a contingency only basis, which means that we only charge you for our fees and services if we obtain a settlement or verdict for you.
To start immediately, simply fill out the "Free Case Review" form located at the top of this page!
