Whiplash Neck injuries Explained And How To Treat Them

A Riverside Car accident attorney explains that if you happen to be involved in a moderate to serious collision, then there is a chance that you may suffer from whiplash injuries. Whiplash otherwise known as Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration (CAD) is injury that is caused to the neck of a person. It occurs when a person is thrown forwards upon an impact with another vehicle or object and then thrown backwards as gravity takes over (this is known as the second impact). The feeling of being propelled forwards and backwards in quick succession is more than enough to damage the ligaments, muscles and discs all around the cervical vertebrae. The rapid snapping motion of the CAD is why it has come to be known as whiplash.

CAD is a big problem in auto accidents and if statistics are anything to go by the medical website 'Right Diagnosis' claims that there are around 120,000 cases of whiplash every single year. However it is fair to point out that on top of this figure, there are many cases of CAD that never get reported as the victims may feel okay at the time of the accident. If you have become a victim of CAD after an accident that wasn't your fault, then it is advisable that you should contact a team of Riverside car accident lawyers who are well versed in dealing with such issues. They will be able to talk to you about your rights.

What are the symptoms?

There are many symptoms associated with CAD, some of which are immediately apparent and some as explained earlier, can take days or even weeks to show up. Some of the signs of whiplash are as follows:

• Sharp stabbing pain in the neck area
• Stiffness around the neck area (this generally comes later)
• Headaches
• Acute shoulder pain and stiffness
• Light-headedness and prolonged dizzy spells
• Tingling or numbness of the fingers
• Constant fatigue/tiredness

If you believe that you have any of these symptoms then it is vital that you seek medical help as soon as you possibly can. If left untreated, then CAD can develop into a degenerative muscle problem that will be constantly painful. The right team of car accident attorneys Riverside will see that you get the best and immediate treatment available to you.

What's the best way to treat whiplash?

The key to treating whiplash is with speed. The first 24 hours are pretty vital and the first thing to do is to try to bring down the swelling. The best way to do this is with an icepack. Try to sit with the pack on your neck for periods of around 20 minutes. Take it off for 20 minutes then reapply. If you don't have a proper ice pack, then a bag of frozen peas works particularly well.

Try not to raise your neck too much as this can cause pain. So when it comes to sleep, try to use a rolled up towel as opposed to a pillow. It may not be as comfy, but it will be much less painful.

If after 24 hours the swelling is still present, then try alternating between hot showers and cold compresses.

In more severe cases of CAD a doctor might suggest that you wear a neck brace in order to keep the neck still. He may also prescribe strong pain relievers and a form of muscle relaxant.

A riverside car accident attorney who is adept at seeking maximum compensation for their clients will tell you that you should never suffer in silence. There are grounds for recourse. Whiplash can be very painful and can result in weeks off work. When this happens it is not good to simply rely upon the services of your insurance company. The main reason for this is that a lawyer can deliver the full and fair compensation that can cover ongoing medical costs, any rehabilitation costs, loss of wages, pain and suffering caused, and property damage. Whereas an insurance broker will always pay out as little as possible and the payments won't take into consideration any ongoing pain or costs.

More often that not, CAD is a painful bi product injury of a car crash. However a skilled Riverside car accident lawyer can help you to get through this troubled time by fighting your corner to deliver the full and fair compensation package in order that you can start to move on with your life again.