If you have been involved in a car accident as a driver or passenger you may have suffered whiplash. Whiplash is caused as a result of a severe jerk to the head, typically occurring in a car accident or motor vehicle accident.

Why whiplash is a pain in the neck

What many people don't realise is that whiplash may affect a persons' neck, spine or mobility permanently or for a long period of time. This can cause long term pain and suffering and may even affect the type of work a person can do.

Many whiplash cases are caused by rear impact (a vehicle being hit from behind by another motor vehicle). Rear impact crashes are a common type of car accident and being rear ended can cause a number of serious injuries as well as whiplash. In these cases the head and neck to be forced into hyper extended (or backward) position as the seat pushes a person's torso forward and the unrestrained head and neck fall backwards. After a short delay the head and neck then recover and are thrown into a hyper flexed (or forward) position.

While whiplash injuries and whiplash injury compensation are commonly extensive by rear impact it can also be experienced in any type of motor vehicle accident and this may include trains, buses or boats.

Whiplash injuries can be complex and may include joint dysfunction where the joints in the spine or limbs lose its normal resiliency and shock absorption and can lead to restricted movements and cause chronic pain. Its recommends by legal advisor ones who suffer from whiplash injuries and after proper medical treatment should ask for Accident Injury Compensation Claim and Advice.

Sometime after rear impact the lower bones in the neck (cervical vertebrae) are in a hyper flexed position. This may lead to abnormalities in the cervical spine as it may affect the soft tissue that holds the cervical vertebrae together such as ligaments or muscles.

How do you know if you have whiplash?

There are common symptoms that may be apparent indicating whiplash. These may include;-

" Pain or stiffness in the neck or back
" Headaches, fatigue or dizziness
" Back pain, shoulder, arm or jaw pain
" Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

In some cases whiplash can even lead to Whiplash Associated Disorder effecting sleep and moods etc. Patients with whiplash injuries may enter into litigation and social isolation may also occur as a result of their symptoms.

Always seek medical attention following a car accident as you may have whiplash or a serious injury without realizing it. Doctors usually wrap and injured neck in a neck brace so assist with healing. After you have sought medical advice, seek legal advice as you may be entitled to injury compensation. An injury helpline can assist in this regard.