Whiplash Signs From Car Accident | What Does Whiplash Feel Like After a Car Accident? | Whiplash Neck Pain Symptoms Auto Accident | What Should I Do If I Have Whiplash After a Car Accident in Florida?

You may have seen TV shows where someone wears a brace around their neck as a victim of whiplash. This condition is very real and can lead to serious pain, limited mobility, and lifelong medical problems. If you or a loved one has recently been in a crash, you may wonder whether you’ve got whiplash or another severe injury.

To help you understand more, the Florida car accident lawyers at Chubb Law Accident & Injury Attorneys describe the signs & symptoms of whiplash after a car accident.

What Is Whiplash?

According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is any injury to the neck that results from a quick back-and-forth movement of the head, like cracking a whip. The movement is much faster than you can do naturally, and typically happens during a sudden increase or decrease in speed during a car crash. Medically, whiplash is called cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome.

Whiplash is sometimes called neck sprain or neck strain, and it can lead to tremendous pain. It usually affects the nerves, tendons, muscles, and discs in your neck and upper back. This area is sensitive to the sudden overstretching associated with whiplash, causing significant nerve and muscle damage.

Whiplash Usually Happens In Two Main Kinds of Car Accidents

It is common to experience whiplash after a car accident where you were hit from behind (rear-end) or the side (T-bone). You may also suffer related injuries, such as hitting the steering wheel, airbag, or headrest with your head during a rear-end crash.

Side-impact collisions can force your head to move rapidly into the window or doorframe, causing whiplash along with traumatic brain injury and cuts. Although it is most common in rear-end and T-bone collisions, you can develop whiplash after nearly all car accidents, including those that happen at low speeds.

What Are the Common Symptoms and Signs of Whiplash?

What does whiplash feel like? It can be different for each person, but the most common symptoms are pain and stiffness in the neck. Other common signs you may experience after a Florida whiplash car accident include the following:

Difficulty turning the head or looking up and down
Headaches, usually at the back of your head near the neck
Pain or numbness in your shoulders
Dizziness
“Pins and needles” or numbness in your arms or hands
Blurred vision
Difficulty remembering things
Muscle spasms
Decreasing range of motion in your neck or arms
Fatique
Irritability or unexpected mood changes

The most common whiplash pain location is in the neck, but it is also possible to have pain in the head, shoulders, arms, and further down your back. Usually, whiplash pain is dull or throbbing, but if you experience sharp or stabbing pain, you should see a doctor immediately.

When Does Whiplash Neck Pain Appear?

The pain and other symptoms of whiplash may not show up for 24 to 72 hours after your accident. This means you may believe you are fine and not hurt, then suddenly realize something is wrong. That is why we recommend calling 911 to get law enforcement and medical assistance after any crash, since paramedics may be able to discover any injuries you have, even if you think you’re OK.

When you are in a car crash, your body releases adrenaline, known as the “fight or flight” hormone. This substance can mask pain symptoms, meaning you do not realize you are injured until much later. Without those pain signals, you could not only be more hurt than you realize, but you could also go to work or engage in other activities that make your car accident injuries worse.

No matter how minor the crash, we believe you should go to the hospital after a car accident to receive a full examination. If you skip the hospital, at least visit your own doctor for an evaluation within 72 hours. Doing so establishes a link between the collision and your injuries, giving you a strong foundation for filing your insurance claim or lawsuit.

How Your Doctor Diagnoses and Treats Whiplash After a Car Accident

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the typical way to diagnose whiplash starts by completing a full exam and reviewing your health history. Your doctor may use any or all of the following scanning techniques:

X-rays: Generally used as the first scan, an X-ray may show injury to your bones and organs, but it does not always verify whiplash, which affects your soft tissue.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans: MRI images do a better job of showing injury to nerves, tendons, ligaments, and muscles than X-rays.
Computed Tomography (CT) scans: This process combines X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed cross-sectional images.

The most common treatment is to apply ice for the first 24 hours, followed by heat and gentle movement after that. Your doctor may also prescribe medications, a cervical collar (neck brace), and physical therapy. If you have significant damage to your vertebrae or nerves, you may require surgery.

Whiplash Can Lead to Serious and Debilitating Medical Conditions

Whiplash can be a first indicator that something much more severe is going on in your body. If left untreated, the damage to your nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons can develop into permanent damage. You could experience chronic pain, decreased mobility, herniated discs, and loss of sensation.

You could also struggle to concentrate, making it harder to manage your life or maintain employment. Because your neck is out of alignment, you may suffer dizziness or vertigo, leading to falls that cause additional harm. That’s why it is vital that you get medical care immediately after any car accident and speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer about your compensation options.

How Can You Pay for Whiplash Medical Bills?

In Florida, you must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance under Chapter 627 Section 736 of the 2022 Florida Statutes. You must have a minimum level of $10,000 worth of coverage, although you can purchase higher amounts. If you are injured in a car accident, Florida’s no-fault system and your PIP policy pay for your medical bills if you suffer whiplash or other conditions.

However, PIP only pays 80% of your costs, and you have to provide evidence that those treatments are medically necessary and reasonable. This can be challenging and frustrating, since the insurance fraud rate is very high in Florida, and insurance adjusters will examine your claim very closely. They also have up to 60 days to investigate before making a decision.

In the meantime, you can use your personal health insurance to pay for your medical expenses. If you meet certain legal thresholds,, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. Doing so would allow you to seek full compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and property damage, as well as your pain and suffering.

You Can Get Help Dealing With Whiplash After a Car Accident

Along with seeking medical treatment after a crash, you can hire a car accident attorney to help you figure out insurance options and whether you have a strong enough case to initiate a lawsuit against another driver. Your lawyer can often connect you with medical specialists who will fully diagnose and treat your injuries, as well as testify about how seriously you’ve been hurt.

Your lawyer can also assist you with tasks such as:

Filing insurance claims
Determining what happened and who’s to blame
Investigating all aspects of your case
Obtaining police reports, photos, videos, witness statements, and other evidence
Collaborating with experts to provide a reconstruction of the accident
Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement
Preparing your case for trial if you qualify to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Whiplash and its associated injuries can leave you distracted by pain, focusing on trying to get better while maintaining your job and normal activities. Instead of adding the burden of trying to secure an insurance settlement, you can turn things over to a car accident lawyer who will keep you updated on your case. By using a contingency fee plan, you do not have to pay your attorney’s fees until they obtain compensation for you.

Chubb Law Is Ready to Help

Get the guidance you need after suffering whiplash or other injuries in a crash in the Central Florida region. At Chubb Law, we are proud of our results for clients just like you. We dedicate ourselves to prioritizing your interests over those of insurance companies. We treat you with compassion, respect, and honesty, regardless of how big or small your case is.

You do not have to suffer the consequences of getting hurt by a negligent driver. To discuss your case during a free consultation with a Florida car accident lawyer at Chubb Law, contact us today. You do not pay until we win a settlement or jury award for you. We are standing by to assist with every detail to help you recover and get back to living your life.

Signs & Symptoms of Whiplash After a Car Accident