If you’ve been in a car crash, you may worry about whiplash. Anytime your body is faced with an extreme change in force that causes your head to whip back and forth, it’s possible that to suffer whiplash injuries. The severity and symptoms related to whiplash vary widely depending on many factors.
Whiplash is not the only injury that drivers and passengers could suffer in a collision. Some neck and back injuries may feel like whiplash, but are actually much more serious.
Other Injuries People Confuse with Whiplash
Whiplash has many symptoms that can vary from mild to severe. You could experience:
- Muscle tightness
- Dizziness
- Loss of memory
- Tingling or numbness
- Other symptoms
These symptoms can mimic what you would feel if you have a more serious spinal or brain injury. You should always see a doctor immediately after an accident. Asking yourself, “How do I know I have whiplash?” and looking on the internet isn’t enough. A medical professional should evaluate your condition.
Even after you’re diagnosed with whiplash, it’s important to monitor your condition in the days and months after your accident to see if your pain persists or changes in any way. If you experience worsening symptoms like blurred vision, severe neck pain, pain that spreads down your arms, or persistent headaches, visit your doctor or get a second opinion to be sure you don’t need additional treatment.
Some of the injuries besides whiplash you may have after a neck injury include:
- Cervical ligament sprain
- Concussion
- Nerve damage
- Slipped disc
- Spinal damage
- Traumatic brain injury
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
Whiplash can last anywhere from a day to several months, depending on its severity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Most doctors prescribe relatively simple treatments for whiplash like over-the-counter pain medicine, heating pads, and muscle relaxers.
You should always follow your doctor’s directions. But you may need another opinion if it seems like you’re not getting better after a period of months.
If you find yourself asking, “How long does whiplash last?” because it seems like it’s going on forever, you may have a different, more serious medical condition.
Average Whiplash Settlements in Missouri
If your whiplash injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party. A typical settlement for whiplash in Missouri would include financial compensation for:
- The medical bills related to the whiplash you’ve already paid
- Medical bills related to your whiplash that you can reasonably expect
- The salary or wages for the work you missed due to your injury
- Your pain and suffering
- Other related losses
Contact Sansone & Lauber in St. Louis If You Experience Whiplash Symptoms after an Accident
Our dedicated St. Louis lawyers at Sansone & Lauber help Missourians who have suffered whiplash and other serious injuries in car crashes. Whiplash is serious, and you deserve to be compensated when someone else caused it.
When you’re injured and need help, the attorneys at Sansone & Lauber are ready and waiting to walk you through your legal options. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.