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Whiplash Injury from Car Accident in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Personal Injury Law Firm
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3 million individuals are injured in car accidents each year in the United States.
The kind and degree of injuries sustained by drivers and passengers in an car collision are determined by several variables, including:
- Was it a low-speed or a high-speed collision?
- Was the person’s car struck from behind, the side, or the front?
- Was the passenger in the seat facing straight ahead?
- Did the person’s head or body move in a certain direction? Was the car equipped with airbags?
- Was the passenger restrained by a seatbelt?
Each car accident is unique, and the injuries sustained as a consequence of a car accident are as diverse as the circumstances of each collision. There are, however, certain forms of car crash injuries that are more common than others.
INJURY TO THE NECK
Whiplash is caused by the head being flung forward or sideways suddenly, and it may happen at any speed. For example, one of the most frequent injuries sustained in a car accident is whiplash.
Whiplash injures the soft tissues of the neck and back and the bone and spinal cord. The action stresses the neck’s muscles and ligaments beyond its usual range of motion. Some neck injuries, such as strains and sprains, may heal in a matter of months after a collision.
Disc herniation or ligament rips, for example, may cause long-term pain and suffering. It might take years of counseling or possibly corrective surgery to get this under control.
Car accidents may result in a variety of neck injuries and difficulties. The following are the most typical:
Whiplash is the first thing that comes to mind. Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking of the head and neck forward and backward. Ligaments, muscles, nerves, and connective tissues of the neck are strained, torn, and damaged due to the movement. The most prevalent sort of event that causes whiplash is a rear-end collision.
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1) SYMPTOMS MAY NOT SHOW UP RIGHT AWAY.
Symptoms may develop soon after the accident or may take many hours to manifest. Many whiplash instances may be resolved in a matter of weeks with early treatment. On the other hand, some situations result in persistent discomfort, long-term headaches, or memory problems months or years after the injury.
2.) DAMAGE TO SOFT TISSUES
Neck ligaments, muscles, and tendons may be torn, sprained, or strained in car accidents. Pain, soreness, and stiffness in the neck and shoulders are common symptoms of soft tissue injury. Muscle strains may also result in neck stiffness and muscle spasms.
3.) A HERNIATED OR SLIPPED DISC
Intervertebral discs in the cervical spine may move out of position between vertebrae in a high-impact accident. The damaged disc may compress nerves in the spinal cord as a result of this. Pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers are symptoms of a pinched nerve.
4.) AN DAMAGE TO THE FACET JOINTS
The cervical spine’s facet joints help to stabilize and move the head and neck. The facet joints might become inflamed and irritated as a result of an car accident. A collision might potentially cause injury to adjacent ligaments, limiting joint mobility and range of motion.
5.) A FRACTURED NECK
A neck fracture is a serious injury that produces excruciating agony. Whether you’ve been in a car accident, you’ll most likely notice if you have fractured right away. Do not move without medical aid if you fear you have a fracture. The improper movement might cause paralysis by injuring your spinal cord.
6.) LACERATIONS AND CUTS
During an car accident, debris, glass, or other automotive items may fly up and strike the neck, resulting in cuts, abrasions, lacerations, and bruises. In addition, ligaments and tendons of the neck may be damaged by deep cuts or lacerations.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE IN PAIN IN YOUR NECK AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Getting into an accident isn’t a one-time occurrence that leaves you in discomfort for a long time. One of the most common concerns after a car accident is neck discomfort.
Whiplash is the term for neck discomfort that occurs after an accident. Rapid to and fro straining of the neck muscles, joints, nerves, intervertebral discs, and ligaments causes this condition. The collision’s severity is determined by the seating posture, the angle of the face, and the force of the crash.
Whiplash damage is similar to a regular neck sprain or strain in terms of pain. Whiplash, on the other hand, frequently lasts longer than other neck injuries.
Whiplash is a kind of discomfort that should not be overlooked. Because the neck discomfort caused by accident significantly impacts your spinal cord and neck, your whole central nervous system remains alert. It’s like a high-level alarm that’s delivered to every portion of the body. This eventually leads to weariness and discomfort.
Whiplash Signs and Symptoms
Tense neck muscles that pain even when touched with a finger. Constant headaches and weary eyes: eyesight may be affected as well. Dizziness
Inability to focus or pay attention for longer periods. Lower back and leg pain
Food down the throat is very difficult to chew or swallow.
Incessant ringing in the ears Muscle tiredness and a mild fever
Anxiety and despair are the ninth and tenth items on the list. Impossible to raise anything with one’s hands or even on one’s back.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAVE PAINFUL WHIPLASH?
Whiplash is a serious ailment that requires immediate care. You must act quickly, or it will continue to damage your quality of life for longer than intended.
Home treatments, like any other muscle strain, attempt to perform some fast and efficient home remedies. Almost 80% of respondents report feeling substantially better after sticking to a rigid home care program. Here are some options:
If you have neck discomfort after an accident, using ice wrapped in a soft towel might help a lot. The procedure reduces or eliminates inflammation in the affected region. Apply ice to the afflicted region by folding it in numerous layers of a soft cloth or an ice bag rather than applying it directly. Please wear it for no longer than 15 minutes before removing it.
Heat works wonders when it comes to relaxing the muscles. Repeat the treatments after small intervals of at least 40 minutes. Heat is transmitted deep into the muscles and tissues, boosting blood circulation and capillary expansion.
Finally, heat aids in the relaxation of muscles and the reduction of discomfort. Do not expose your skin to severe heat. Use the heating pad wrapped in a towel as ice. Direct heat may cause skin burns. Check the heating pad’s temperature since too little heat will not help, and too much heat can burn your skin.
You may use dry heat, such as heating pads and saunas, or you can use wet heat, such as steam rooms. Taking hot baths, steaming, or using heated water pads are all examples of moist heat. The wet heat method performs better than the dry heat method. It not only awakens the damaged region but also relaxes the whole body’s muscles.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, generally mildly dosed, may also assist relieve neck discomfort after an injury. Without a doctor’s prescription, you may get these medications from any pharmacy.
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen are all common pain medications. Neck collars and braces help by providing additional head support and alleviating strain on the spinal cord and neck. However, they should never be the first choice to consider since they might weaken muscles and tendons if taken over a lengthy time.
Massage with soft hands and oil relaxes the muscles and allows the oil nutrients to trickle down, which is good for the skin and helps cure the inside damage. However, since you don’t know the extent of your injuries yet, don’t use clean hands or massage the area hard.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN.
If your neck discomfort from the injury isn’t getting any better and the symptoms are becoming worse every day, contact your doctor right once. Discuss the specifics of the injury and any home cures you’ve tried thus far.
Describe your symptoms to the doctor as truthfully as possible. Doctors may prescribe sedatives, pain relievers, or specialized muscular exercises. See if you may obtain any relief by following these recommendations. When patients seek medical help, the majority of them improve.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Many individuals believe that moving your head would make it worse if you have neck discomfort after an injury. However, regardless of the scenario, one should constantly strive to move their limbs and body. It will hurt, but it will prevent chronic damage to your motor neurons.
If you have whiplash, we recommend seeing a physical therapist. He may prescribe certain drugs and some carefully timed physical motions for your body that may aid in your recovery.
OTHER LIFESTYLE SUGGESTIONS
We have some more advice for you to keep in mind. Instead of sleeping on one side of your body, try sleeping on your back. Support yourself with two or three pillows and sleep upright. Do not make a sudden alteration in your neck posture. Avoid placing your phone between your ear and your shoulder.
LOCATE A TRUSTWORTHY, HIGH-QUALITY PAIN SPECIALIST
Pain specialists are highly educated physicians who work at the forefront of pain therapy. Instead of just prescribing medicine, a good pain clinic will concentrate on holistic, non- invasive therapies.
Seeing a pain expert may seem frightening or even drastic, but finding a pain management partner should give you hope for a more fulfilled life.
When seeking a compassionate pain expert, keep the following in mind:
Do your homework on them. Is the doctor’s practice based on a holistic approach to treatment?
Are they well-educated and qualified?
Do they have a lot of customer feedback? Seeing a doctor who has a lot of great reviews might help you relax when you go to see them.
When you trust the clinic’s approach, expertise, and track record, scheduling your initial session is a lot less intimidating.
Don’t expect your neck ache to go away on its own.
It is impossible to prevent whiplash. Car accident chronic pain needs skilled and compassionate treatment. Stop suffering from persistent neck discomfort and start feeling better.
COMPLICATIONS IN THE LONG TERM
Accident-related neck injuries, if left untreated, may lead to persistent, systemic problems in the future. Many individuals suffer from whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) for months or years following an accident because it is often misunderstood or dismissed as a serious injury. Chronic neck and back discomfort, frequent headaches, cognitive problems, and mental illnesses such as sadness and anxiety are all symptoms of WAD.
If a neck injury is not detected and treated promptly, it may result in long-term discomfort and problems. Chronic back and neck discomfort might have a severe influence on many aspects of your life in the future. For example, you may find it difficult to focus at work, undertake intensive activities, or sleep properly if you have a long-term injury. In addition, chronic pain is lonely and may lead to rage, sadness, and anxiety.
WHIPLASH MAY BE AVOIDED IF YOU TAKE THE RIGHT PRECAUTIONS
One of the most effective strategies to avoid whiplash-related injuries is properly setting and utilizing a head restraint. During rear crashes, a correctly fitted head restraint protects against whiplash and the risk of long-term harm.
The height of a restraint and the distance between the head and the restraint are important factors influencing the likelihood of damage. A properly fitted head restraint should be level with the top of the driver’s ears or higher, with the rear of the head and the headrest separated by the shortest possible space.
According to studies, if all adjustable head restraints were set to the right l height during normal driving, there would be a 28.3 percent decrease in whiplash injuries and a considerable reduction in the occurrence of soft tissue injuries from car collisions.
To protect oneself from danger, drive cautiously and be proactive. However, certain things are beyond our control, and car accidents do happen. If you have been injured in a car accident or are experiencing the symptoms of whiplash, contact the Warrior Car Accident Lawyers at 719-300-1100 for a knowledgeable, experienced auto accident attorney in Colorado Springs.
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