You know our health system is messed up when you envy people with broken bones or open wounds because at least no one questions them about whether they are truly injured and whether they truly need treatment. Unless you are hemorrhaging or one of your limbs is at a weird angle, everyone tells you to suck it up, from doctors to employers to insurers. This problem is especially noticeable when you are trying to get compensation for a car accident claim. Injuries that do not look especially gruesome do not get the attention or compensation they deserve, even though they might cause immense pain. Whiplash injury is a common yet painful invisible injury, and car accidents are among its main causes. If you are struggling with medical bills after being diagnosed with whiplash injury arising from a car accident, contact a Santa Fe motor car accident lawyer.
Why is Whiplash Injury So Common in Car Accidents?
Whiplash injury is a catchy name for a mundane injury. It is a traumatic injury to the muscles and other soft tissues of the upper back and neck. It is called whiplash injury because the movement of the upper body in a car accident, suddenly forwards and then suddenly backward, resembles the movement of a whip. It can also result from collisions that do not involve motor vehicles, such as in contact sports.
Whiplash injury is so common in car accidents because it is the natural consequence of a collision. If someone rear-ends your car at a low speed, the impact pushes your body forward and then backward. Even in a collision at a higher speed, some level of whiplash injury is likely if you are wearing a seatbelt and the car has airbags; without those safety features, the injuries would be far more severe, and you might even be ejected from the vehicle.
Getting Doctors and Insurance Companies to Take You Seriously About Whiplash Injury
Whiplash injury varies in severity, but since it is a soft tissue injury, it is difficult for doctors to assess the severity of the injury based on diagnostic images. The mildest forms of whiplash injury simply cause soreness in the neck and upper back. In more severe cases, the back and neck pain is worse and lasts longer, and you might have symptoms like headaches, tingling in the arms, difficulty concentrating, or visual disturbances. No matter the severity, the treatment of whiplash injury is supportive; your only option is to manage the symptoms and wait for the injury to heal, which can take several months. Management of symptoms involves physical therapy, over-the-counter pain relief medications, and sometimes also prescription medications such as muscle relaxers. A personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate for an insurance settlement that covers the full cost of treatment for whiplash injury.
Contact Slate Stern About Car Accident Lawsuits
Slate Stern is a personal injury lawyer who represents plaintiffs injured as a result of car accidents. Contact Slate Stern in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or call (505)814-1517 to discuss your case.
Sources
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11982-whiplash