Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries reported in Georgia. Most often associated with rear-end collisions, whiplash can happen in a wide range of different types of accidents. Immediate medical attention for a whiplash injury is a must. Without proper care, there is an increased risk of long-term complications. In this blog post, our Marietta car accident lawyer provides an overview of the most common long-term effects of a serious whiplash injury in Georgia.
What is Whiplash in a Car Accident?
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. A study cited by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States suffer some form of whiplash car accident injury each year. Notably, whiplash is a cervical acceleration-deceleration injury. It happens when a person’s head snaps backward and forward rapidly. The force places abnormal strain on the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, and facet joints of the neck. As the motion exceeds normal physiologic limits and disrupts soft-tissue integrity. Although X-rays may appear normal, microscopic tearing, joint capsule injury, and neuromuscular dysfunction are often still present with whiplash injuries. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness;
- Severe headaches;
- Reduced range of motion;
- Shoulder or upper back pain;
- Numbness, tingling, or radiating arm pain; and
- Neurologic issues
Long-Term Effects of Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are complicated. They notoriously arise with a delayed onset. It is not uncommon for whiplash to feel worse 48, 72, or 96 hours after a traffic collision. Beyond that, serious whiplash injuries can produce persistent symptoms that last months or even years. Here are some of the most common long-term effects of whiplash injuries in Georgia:
- Chronic Neck Pain: Ongoing cervical pain may result from ligament laxity, muscle imbalance, or facet joint injury. Notably, chronic neck pain often fluctuates, but unfortunately, it sometimes never fully resolves.
- Reduced Range of Motion: Scar tissue formation and joint dysfunction limit neck mobility. Injured victims may struggle with rotation or extension.
- Post-Traumatic Headaches: Cervicogenic headaches frequently follow whiplash injuries. Pain originates in the upper cervical spine and radiates toward the temples or behind the eyes. These headaches can be so severe that they are wholly debilitating.
- Facet Joint Syndrome: Damage to the cervical facet joints produces localized pain and stiffness. That stiffness can contribute to challenges with day-to-day activities.
- Disc Injury/Degeneration: Whiplash can aggravate cervical disc bulges or herniations. Trauma accelerates degenerative changes that may otherwise not cause major issues.
- Radiculopathy: Nerve root irritation causes radiating pain, weakness, or sensory changes in the arms. These symptoms reflect compression or inflammation from disc/joint issues.
- Muscle Spasm/Myofascial Pain: Chronic muscle guarding develops as the body attempts to stabilize injured structures.
- Insomnia and Other Sleep Disturbances: Neck pain disrupts sleep quality and positioning. Poor sleep worsens pain perception and slows tissue healing. Fatigue is often a secondary symptom of a chronic whiplash injury.
Untreated Whiplash Can Lead to Chronic Whiplash
A whiplash injury in a motor vehicle collision requires immediate medical attention. Untreated or undertreated whiplash increases the risk of a type of condition called chronic whiplash-associated disorder. Early inflammation can evolve into structural instability that contributes to altered neuromuscular control. In effect, the cervical spine loses its ability to move efficiently and pain-free. Over time, compensatory movement patterns spread pain into the shoulders, upper back, and arms.
It is a big issue because chronic whiplash requires more intensive treatment. In fact, physical therapy alone may no longer suffice. Patients often need interventional procedures, long-term pain management, or specialized rehabilitation. Beyond that, an injured victim’s recovery may be slower and less predictable. For those medical reasons, it is imperative that victims get care right away for a whiplash injury.
Note: From a legal perspective, delayed care can also complicate your claim. An insurance company may try to argue that it is not responsible for some (or all) of your whiplash injury. The best thing that you can do after a car accident is to get immediate medical attention. A Marietta, GA auto accident lawyer can help you gather and prepare all of the medical records you need for your claim.
Whiplash Long-Term Symptoms and Compensation
Suffered a whiplash injury in Georgia? You have the right to seek compensation for the full value of your damages, including for non-economic losses. Insurance companies often try to undervalue whiplash injury cases. Do not agree to settle your car accident claim for less. Our Marietta, GA whiplash attorney is prepared to help you seek the maximum financial compensation, including for:
- Vehicle repairs;
- Ambulance costs;
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills;
- Other medical costs;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of wages;
- Loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental distress;
- Long-term disability; and
- Diminished quality of life.
Call Our Marietta, GA Whiplash Injury Attorney Today
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries in Georgia. A big challenge is that whiplash can be difficult to diagnose, challenging to treat, and somewhat hard to pin down within medical records. At The Persons Firm, LLC, we have the knowledge, skills, and experience to handle whiplash cases. With more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts, our case results show how our tenacious approach can make the difference. Your initial consultation with a Marietta car accident attorney for whiplash injury is free, confidential, and without obligations.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Marietta, GA Whiplash Injury Lawyer Today
At The Persons Firm, LLC, our Marietta car accident attorney has the skills and experience to handle whiplash cases. Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that can cause serious long-term effects. If you suffered a bad whiplash injury in a crash, we are here to help. Contact us now for a free case review. With a law office in the 30060 zip code of Marietta, we handle whiplash injury cases throughout the region, including in 30008, 30080, 30090, 30066, 30067, and 30068.