What are the Symptoms of Whiplash? What leads to a Whiplash Claim?
Whiplash injuries are difficult to identify as the symptoms differ greatly in each case. For some the pain will be instant or will develop within just a few hours of an accident. On the other hand, many will not experience the pain until 48 or 72 hours after the accident has occurred, as inflammation and bruising to the soft tissues of the neck take a while to develop.
Two of the most common indicators that you have a whiplash injury, which may give rise to whiplash claims, are neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches. There are various methods which can be used to treat whiplash depending on the severity of the injury. Prescriptive medicine and mobility exercises are sufficient in most cases, although surgery may be required for the most extreme cases.
The physical symptoms giving rise to whiplash claims include:
Neck pain and stiffness – this symptom will be present in 100% of cases, with pain extending up to the head and down through the shoulders. Muscle spasms are also likely to occur.
Lower back pain – this is especially common in the lumbar sections of the back.
Numbness – the vertebrae of the neck can be pulled closer together by muscular tension. This can lead to disc degeneration or pinched nerves, causing numbness or tingling in the arms and hands.
Headaches – these will occur in 80% of whiplash claims cases.
Vertigo – unusual head movement and an unbalanced head position can cause distorted sensations from the balance centres of the inner ear and brain.
Interscapular pain – pain occurring between the shoulder blades which may extend down the arms.
As well as these complaints you may experience auditory problems – a ringing in the ears and tinnitus; visual complaints – distorted or blurry vision and dyshagia – the inability to swallow.
If you experience any of these symptoms then your first course of action should be to seek immediate medical attention. You should then contact a solicitor who will work quickly and professionally to secure your whiplash claims compensation. Expert help can be found at Howells Whiplash Claims