The Effect Of Whiplash In An Arizona Accident
The Impact a Whiplash Can Have On a Person In An Injury Or Auto Accident
Our Mesa Injury Attorneys take a look at the impact that whiplash can have on a person in an injury or auto accident. Rear end collisions are one of the most frequent types of auto accidents in Arizona. Often, whiplash is the result of a rear end collision. Without proper representation, injury victims suffer more. Make sure that you seek an experienced Phoenix Injury Lawyer for representation in an injury or accident. Our AZ Accident Attorneys offer free no contact consultations. We are aggressive litigators who regularly go the extra mile for our clients. If you don’t win, we don’t win.
Rear End Collisions In Arizona
Driving is an everyday activity for many people, but it’s actually pretty scary when you think about it. Your vehicle, as well as those around you, are composed of at least a literal ton of metal. And while the maximum speed limit on many Arizona highways is 65 miles per hour, you’ve probably seen someone pass you in the triple digits at least once or twice. All it takes for someone to stop paying attention for half of a second, and a disaster could occur. In Arizona in 2020 alone, there were 98,778 reported car crashes.
The most common type of car accident in Arizona is a rear end collision, which frequently results in a neck injury known as whiplash. This condition can be painful and affect you for the rest of your life. And unfortunately, whiplash can sometimes not reveal itself until several years after the car accident. Read on to learn more about how you should proceed if you’ve incurred whiplash in an Arizona traffic accident, and call 480-833-8000 for more information.
What Is Whiplash In An Arizona Injury Accident?
Whiplash occurs when your head and neck are rocked back and forth very quickly. It can damage the nerves, connective tissue, muscles, and tendons around your neck. Whiplash symptoms can also appear in the spine.
Some Symptoms Of Whiplash Include
- Neck pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Reduced range of motion in the neck
- Difficulty and pain when moving the neck
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Tingling or numbness in the arms or shoulders
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficult concentrating
- Short and long term memory problems
- Mood changes and depression
Causes Of Whiplash In Accidents
Arizona car accidents are the leading cause of whiplash, but they aren’t the only cause. Sports, especially contact sports, can cause whiplash injuries. Roller coasters are also responsible for a significant amount of whiplash injuries. Whiplash can happen when someone slips and falls, or gets in a physical altercation. People who work with or ride large animals like horses can experience whiplash injuries. Bicycling, skiing, skateboarding, and other similar activities can result in whiplash as well. This list is not exclusive, so you shouldn’t rule out the possibility of whiplash if you’ve experienced a different type of injury. Visit a doctor or Urgent Care as soon as possible to be examined for signs of whiplash.
What To Do After An Accident That May Have Caused Whiplash
No matter what type of accident, traffic or otherwise, caused your whiplash, you need to make sure you reach a place of safety before assessing yourself. If you’re able to, you should take pictures and videos of your injuries and any conditions that lead to it. You should exchange insurance information with any other involved parties. For serious accidents, it may be useful to call the police so they can come to the scene and issue an accident report. You may need to leave the accident scene in an ambulance if your injuries are severe. If you can get yourself home, you should still contact a medical provider as soon as you can.
All of this can be expensive, and take time out of your already busy schedule. If someone was at fault for your whiplash injuries, you should start calculating how much the accident is truly costing you. Your medical bills, as well as those you will incur in the future for long term side effects, are compensable in an injury claim. You can also be compensated if you need to take time off of work to attend your medical appointments or just to rest and recover. If the injuries are severe enough to impede your future advancement at work, this can be compensated as well. You can also collect for your pain and suffering, which is damage used to compensate for the physical and emotional trauma your injuries caused.
Short Term Effects Of Whiplash
One of the trickiest parts about whiplash injuries is that they can take days, weeks, or even longer to begin to show. That’s why we always recommend that you visit a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident that may have caused whiplash injuries. The short term signs you can look for will be mostly pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling in the neck. There may even be a contusion on your neck if you’ve experienced whiplash. Headaches, tenderness, soreness, and fatigue are also short term indicators of whiplash. You might even experience bladder control issues due to whiplash. Someone with severe short term symptoms is more likely to experience long term effects. Contact our Mesa Whiplash Attorneys for assistance with a Mesa Accident or injury.
Long Term Effects Of Whiplash
Some effects may not develop for a while, especially if the person doesn’t seek medical attention for their injuries. Regardless of the medical attention you receive, you’ll probably experience the effects of whiplash for a significant amount of time. About ⅔ of those who suffer whiplash still report symptoms 7 years later. The severity of your neck pain may increase over time, and your range of motion may decrease. You may also experience arm pain as a long term effect of whiplash. Previous whiplash injuries can also increase your chances of experiencing whiplash in the future.
Factors That Can Increase The Likelihood Of Whiplash
As mentioned above, previous injuries increase your chances of being injured by whiplash again in the future. Other previous back and neck injuries can also increase the probability of incurring injuries. Increasing age can also increase your chance of getting injured in an accident. Thus, whiplash injuries tend to be worse when they result from high speed collisions. Contact our Arizona Whiplash Lawyers for assistance with your injury.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Whiplash?
If you think you have whiplash, don’t delay in scheduling a doctor’s appointment. Your medical provider will examine you for signs of whiplash injury, and will probably recommend treatment to help alleviate your symptoms. This can involve a physical examination, as well as your verbal recollection of events. The doctor will need you to describe the nature of your pain, such as sharp and shooting or dull and aching. Your doctor may need to take an X-Ray, MRI scan, or CT scan for further information. In extreme cases, the doctor may request DTI, or diffuse tensor imaging, or a PET (positron emission tomography) scan.
The doctor will probably offer a few methods to help alleviate your whiplash symptoms. Often, Tylenol or aspirin will be sufficient to help with the pain. Your doctor may also recommend that you alternate ice and heat on the affected area. If your pain is more severe, you may be prescribed painkillers or muscle relaxants. Your doctor may also recommend exercises and stretches to help with your neck’s recovery. You may need to practice posture and relaxation techniques to relieve the pressure on your neck. Your doctor may also recommend that you wear a foam neck collar for a few hours at a time to protect your neck. However, many doctors now believe that it can slow down the healing process and no longer recommend them.
There are additional steps you can take after your doctor’s visit to help most past your whiplash injuries. Some people who experience relief from getting massages. Visiting a chiropractor can also be helpful. If you still can’t find relief, you may want to try electrical nerve stimulation or acupuncture. Let your doctor know which methods have been most effective for you.
Maximize Your Settlement With a Quality Personal Injury Attorney
If a person or company other than yourself was responsible for your whiplash injuries, you need to retain a Chandler personal injury attorney. Whether it was irresponsible driving or poorly maintained premises, there may be some relevant insurance coverage that can compensate you for your losses. If not, the other involved party may be held personally financially responsible, if you take the appropriate steps.
When you retain a Gilbert personal injury attorney, they will handle every step of the claims process for you. From drafting your demand letter, negotiating with opposing counsel, gathering and analyzing evidence, filing any appropriate motions and paperwork with the court, and more, your personal injury attorney will save you time and stress while you recover from your injuries.
Contact Accident Lawyers Near Me In Mesa, Arizona
Our Arizona personal injury team helps our clients achieve higher settlements without the hassle. And the best part is that we do it at a guaranteed rate of 25% on Arizona Injury and Accident cases. Comparatively, the industry standard of about 33%. Our 25% Advantage, means more money going into your bank account, rather than your lawyer’s. To see if you have a valid claim, call 480-833-8000 or use our online form to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our experienced Arizona injury attorneys.
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