After the initial shock of dealing with what has happened to disrupt your life, there are many things that you can do to make this un-welcomed situation a situation you can deal with and move on in your life.
With that said, look at the following information and use common sense. If you feel uncomfortable with handling the issues and tasks that will be required with getting well and getting your car fixed, then a competent attorney may be what you need to minimize any common mistakes.
You don’t always need an attorney
A licensed and experienced attorney who knows all the facts and the laws can be a real asset, but remember this; you don’t always need an attorney to settle a claim. Each case is an individualized situation.
Don’t be misled by the minimal damage to your car.
People react much differently than glass, plastic and metal! It started with a routine trip to the store. Suddenly you hear tires screeching and the noise of metal hitting metal. In the split second before you can brace yourself, you feel your car dramatically moving from some unseen force!
Hidden Damage
It’s tempting to minimize your own injuries because your car has sustained little or no damage. Research has been proven and documented time and time again that occupants can be injured and sustain soft tissue damage that can appear months or even years after the impact or collision. Take a look at pro athletes like football players or boxers.
You don’t see the real damage that could be beginning now that might show it’s head years later as the body begins to show its effects. Just look at the news and the NFL. Yours might not be bad knees, shoulders, hips and whatever hits those primed athletes took but more so probably related to your neck and whatever other areas were affected in the crash. So, what seems unapparent now may affect you years later. It’s best to get checked out
Common Whiplash Signs and Symptoms
According to the Spine Research Institute of San Diego the following are the most common symptoms involved in whiplash followed by the percentages they occur.
| Symptom | {9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Symptom | {9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck Pain | 92{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Impaired Concentration | 26{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Headache | 57{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Blurred Vision | 21{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Fatigue | 56{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Irritability | 21{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Shoulder Pain | 49{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing) | 16{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Anxiety | 44{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Dizziness | 15{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Interscaular Pain | 42{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Forgetfulness | 15{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Lower Back Pain | 39{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Upper Limb Pain | 12{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Sleep Disturbance | 39{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Upper Limb Weakness | 6{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Upper Limb Paresthesia | 30{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Tinnitus (Ringing in Ear) | 4{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
| Sensitivity to Noise | 29{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} | Jaw/Facial Pain (TMJ) | 4{9af40bf80e52f11aa5d7472b6ee2426c1e641e46093dbc3d29b8bc21a0ebb17e} |
Facts About Whiplash Injuries
Common Myths
- Low speed rear impact crashes (LOSRIC) don’t cause injuries
- Injuries heal in 6 – 12 weeks
- Litigation has an effect on the patient’s recovery
- The patient’s pre injury psychological makeup affects recovery
- Greater vehicle damage = greater occupant injury
- Accident reconstruction can predict injury potential
Reference: Spine Research Institute of San Diego
Crash Facts
- Most injuries occur at crash speeds below 12 mph
- Most cars withstand 8 – 12 mph impacts without structural damage
- More than half of all LOSRIC injuries occur without vehicle damage
- There is no correlation between vehicle damage and outcome
- The peak acceleration of the head is much greater than the peak acceleration of the vehicle
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The Medical Solution
- If you visit the emergency room, you may have been given a clean bill of health because you don’t have any broken bones. You might get a prescription to reduce the muscle spasms caused by structural changes in your neck or lower back. But there are many underlying conditions that you may never have thought of.
After what you’ve been through, you’ll need a health professional that truly understands soft tissue injuries, spinal biomechanics and rehabilitation of the spine. Call our office today.
We Can Help
- Whether it was a little incident in the parking lot, or two cars attempting to occupy the same space in an intersection, you need an experienced doctor who knows how to work with lawyers and insurance companies.
If you’ve been in a car accident, give us a call. We’ve been through this many times. Not only can we offer drug-free care, but we can educate you as to what to watch out for over the months and years that will follow your crash.
Common Questions
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