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Whiplash is an injury caused by the neck moving back and forth in rapid succession, damaging the soft tissues within. Whiplash from a car accident is not always immediately apparent, but once symptoms start appearing, there are many long-term effects that can impact the lives of accident victims. Below, our Charleston soft tissue injury lawyer explains the short and long-term effects of whiplash.
Short-Term Effects of Whiplash
There are many short-term symptoms of a whiplash injury. Although these may not manifest immediately, in the hours or days following a car accident, there are common effects that may appear. These include:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Tingling in the neck and surrounding area
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
- Limited range of motion in the neck
- Headaches
When whiplash from a car accident is very serious, it can also result in difficulty concentrating and becoming easily agitated or distracted. While these short-term effects are frustrating, the long-term effects of whiplash are even more stressful for accident victims.
Long-Term Effects of Whiplash
Your whiplash car accident settlement should not only account for the effects you felt shortly after the crash, but any long-term effects you may have to deal with, as well. The long-term effects of whiplash are also more common than many people think. According to a study conducted in 2005, 71 percent of individuals who suffered a whiplash injury had at least one symptom seven years after the initial injury. The long-term effects of whiplash from a car accident are as follows:
- Long-term bouts of dizziness
- Chronic stiffness and pain in the shoulders and neck
- Pain in the lower or upper back
- Chronic severe headaches
- Pain in the jaw
- Weakness, numbness, or sensory symptoms in the legs, arms, or hands
- Difficulty sleeping
- Blurry vision
- Memory issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Permanent changes in one’s personality
Who is most at Risk for long-term whiplash Symptoms?
While anyone can suffer from long-term whiplash symptoms, there are certain factors that place a person at an increased risk of developing them. These include:
- Being involved in a serious car crash
- Failing to receive medical treatment immediately afterwards
- Suffering a severe injury to the joints, discs, or ligaments in the neck
- Suffering a fracture in the spine or other serious neck injury
- Injuring the neck after the initial recovery process
- Pre-existing conditions affecting the neck
- Experiencing a severe inflammatory response to whiplash
Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Charleston Can Help with Your Case
Contrary to what many people believe, whiplash is rarely a minor injury. The long-term effects of whiplash can last for several years and seriously impact the lives of car accident victims. At Trey Harrell, Auto Accident Attorney, our Charleston personal injury lawyer can accurately calculate your whiplash car accident settlement so you obtain the full damages you are entitled to. Call us now to 843-636-8739 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorney and to get the legal help you need. Remember Trey Helps!