Answering the big question
There are certain signs that can help you determine if your neck pain is whiplash or something else.
Do you have a headache? If so, it's probably not whiplash. But it may be something else, like a concussion or brain injury.
Are your eyes sore? This can also point to an illness other than whiplash.
Has there been a recent car accident? In this case, you should seek treatment immediately, even if other symptoms don't seem to fit with what has been described as whiplash. Whiplash can be deceiving and often indicates deeper problems that need immediate attention.
Do you feel dizzy when you look up or down? This is a sign of whiplash and should be treated right away by visiting the nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
Where Is It?
If you have pain in the back of the neck or shoulder, but also low down your spine, it may be worth getting checked out.
Your symptoms could be caused by a condition known as whiplash.
Whiplash is most commonly caused by a car accident. However, any sudden movement of the head can cause whiplash. If this sounds like your story, read on to find out more about whiplash and how you can reduce your risk of getting it.
How did it happen?
Now let's look at the most common types of injuries caused by car accidents. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are the most common injuries we see in our practice.
The most typical injury we see following a rear end collision is whiplash, which is caused when the sudden movement of your car being hit from behind causes your cervical spine to hyperextend and then violently whip back into place. Whiplash can cause pain ranging from very mild to severe, as well as stiffness and limited motion in your neck. If you have been involved in a car accident and have suffered whiplash, we urge you to seek medical attention right away. Contact us or call at 361-881-4806. We'll make sure you get medical attention and financial compensation so you can focus on healing rather than worrying about bills.
What is typical whiplash treatment?
There are so many alternative treatments to consider, with varying degrees of scientific validity and evidence. You can find a list on the American Chiropractic Association's website.
So, you've been injured, you've gone through the initial medical treatment, and now it's time to heal. Here’s how to decide what your next step should be:
Talk to your doctor! He or she will most likely recommend a combination of chiropractic care and physical therapy or massage. (This is called “conservative treatment” and is always the first line of defense for whiplash.)
Talk to you Lawyer! He or she will help you get the treatment you need and make sure that all records are retrieved and submitted to the insurance company of the negligent driver to get you the most possible compensation for your pain and suffering.
Does my insurance cover my whiplash?
Whiplash, while sometimes severe and always painful, is a common injury after a car accident. In fact, in the majority of accidents where someone is rear-ended—even at slow speeds—the driver in the front seat will suffer whiplash.
You may or may not have heard your insurance agents talk about "personal injury protection," or PIP coverage. This type of coverage is generally required by law to be included in most auto policy premiums. It's designed to cover medical expenses due to an accident, including whiplash injuries.
The amount of money that you receive from your insurance company when you make a claim for whiplash injury benefits has limits though. For example, your policy might include $2,500 in total personal injury protection for medical bills and lost wages as a result of your injuries. However, if your actual medical bills are $12,000 (not uncommon for serious neck pain), then you would need to pay out-of-pocket for the remaining amount unless you can obtain additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company (or the defendant through a lawsuit).
Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you. Call a car accident lawyer!
If you have questions about whether or not you're injured, the best thing to do is contact an injury lawyer. At our firm, we'll examine your case separately and help you determine if you're injury qualifies for a lawsuit. Additionally, we'll be able to offer invaluable advice on how to deal with the insurance company if they try to deny your claim or pay as little as possible.
The more time that passes before consulting a lawyer, the less your case will be worth. This is why it's crucial that you don't wait any longer! We've already talked about the many ways in which the insurance companies take advantage of people who have been injured in accidents—that's why contacting us now will save you from all of their shenanigans and ensure that your case is treated fairly by all parties involved.
Call Daniel M. Gonzales the car accident lawyer at 361-881-4806 today!