| Whiplash injuries are caused due to hyperextension of | | | | has taken place. Diagnosis of a whiplash injury is |
| the neck both forward and backward in quick | | | | extremely difficult because MRI scans, CAT scans |
| succession. People are known to get whiplash injuries | | | | and X-Rays will not do. Rather, the doctor has to |
| during a collision which causes rapid acceleration and | | | | evaluate the condition of the victim from his own |
| deceleration. A collision is usually caused by a road | | | | description of symptoms. |
| traffic accident, though some contact sports may also | | | | Immediately after the accident, the victim should apply |
| lead to such a condition. A whiplash accident claim can | | | | an ice pack on the affected area. This will prevent |
| be made if it can be proved that a third party is | | | | swelling. The best treatment of a whiplash injury is not |
| responsible for the accident. It may be that the | | | | to wear neck braces at all. In fact, the normal daily |
| accident may have happened in a road traffic accident | | | | routine should be followed as much as possible by him. |
| or in a sports field. A whiplash accident can have | | | | This will prevent the neck muscles to stiffen further. |
| life-changing consequences on the victim and | | | | Doctors are generally known to advise painkillers like |
| compensation should be claimed for. | | | | Ibuprofen and Paracetamol to relieve the pain in the |
| A whiplash injury can cause the following symptoms: | | | | neck and the surrounding areas. Neck braces should |
| - Neck stiffness and pain | | | | usually be absolutely avoided except in extremely |
| - Lower back stiffness and pain | | | | severe cases. |
| - Tingling and numbness in the arms, fingers and hands | | | | A whiplash injury is something that may often be |
| - Fatigue | | | | regarded as nothing much of consequence, certainly |
| - Insomnia | | | | not for a compensation claim. But do not dare |
| - Shoulder stiffness and pain | | | | under-compensate or overlook it. An accident which |
| - Headaches | | | | has caused whiplash injury is still an accident, and god |
| - Dizziness | | | | forbid, if the injury is serious you may have to suffer |
| - Blurred vision | | | | from years of pain. Believe it or not, whiplash injury |
| - Problems in concentrating | | | | may cause symptoms even 15 years or more after |
| - Short term memory loss | | | | the actual accident has taken place. |
| The dangerous part of a whiplash injury is that it may | | | | You may hear that a whiplash injury will not bring you |
| take days, months and even years for the symptoms | | | | a lot of compensation. But that is not true. A lot of |
| to develop. And when the symptoms do develop they | | | | people have undergone serious pain and suffering for |
| are usually serious and can change the life of the | | | | themselves and people close to them without claiming |
| victim. In case a whiplash injury is suspected, the victim | | | | compensation from the party responsible. That should |
| should be evaluated by a doctor and tests should be | | | | not be your case. Consult expert solicitors to help you |
| done in order to confirm whether any serious injury | | | | make a claim for yourself or a loved one. |