WHIPLASH SYMPTOMS

Whiplash symptoms may include pain, limited neck movement and stiffness which may commence shortly after the injury or be delayed by 24 hours or more. Too often people don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop. In most cases, soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) cause pain because they have been stretched beyond normal limits. On occasion, they may bleed or even tear. In severe cases, violent motion can squeeze the discs of the cervical spine so hard that they herniate and press on a nerve. More serious injuries may involve damage to blood vessels, nerves or the spine. Spinal vertebrae can also be knocked painfully out of alignment.

When no bones are broken and the head doesn't strike the windshield, typical whiplash symptoms are as follows :-

• 62% to 98% complain of neck pain, which starts between two hours and two days after the accident. This is often the result of tightened muscles that react to either muscle tears or excessive movement of joints from ligament damage. The muscles tighten in an effort to splint and support the head, limiting excessive movement.
• 66% to 70% complain of headache. The pain may be on one side or both, on again off again or constant, in one spot or more general.
• 35% to 42% complain of thoracolumbar back pain
• 45% complain of paresthesias of the upper extremities. A variety of theories have been proposed to explain paresthesias, including thoracic outlet syndrome, myofascial injuries, stretch injuries of the brachial plexus, and central cord injuries.

Other possible whiplash symptoms include :-

• neck swelling
• pain may spread to the shoulders, chest and back
• tenderness along the back of your neck
• pain shooting from your neck into either shoulder or arm
• muscle spasms (in the side or back of your neck)
• numbness in the fingers and forearm
• tingling
• neck stiffness
• headache
• difficulty swallowing
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• noises in the ears (tinnitus)
• nausea
• problems thinking
• problems remembering
• jaw Pain
• hip Pain
• vertigo
• fatigue
• difficulty swallowing

Damaged ligaments take a long time to heal and the sheer length of time that symptoms may go on for is often a problem. Persistent symptoms lead to "chronic whiplash syndrome," which is defined as the presence of symptoms for longer than 6 months. Ongoing pain, neck stiffness and headaches can have a major effect on quality of life and severe cases of whiplash may well be complicated by clinical depression and anxiety that needs treatment in its own right.

Here are 3 good reasons to choose our lawyers:

1. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice on your rights and entitlements to compensation with no further obligation.
2. Our solicitors are specialist accredited expert members of the Law Society personal injury panel with extensive experience in negotiating, settling and litigating accident compensation claims.
3. If you decide to instruct any of our specialists to obtain compensation for you, they will act on a “no win no fee” basis. Compensation is paid in full and win or lose there is no charge.¹