It only takes a few seconds for a car accident to change your life forever. Even some of the most common types of accident injuries can have a painful and long-term impact on your life, and it can take months or even longer to fully recover from the consequences of your accident.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include those that affect the neck, such as whiplash. Whiplash can be quite painful, actually affecting your ability to participate in daily activities and enjoy a certain quality of life. These injuries are even more frustrating if the accident that originally caused you harm is the result of the negligent or reckless actions of another West Virginia driver.
Why is whiplash so bad?
Whiplash is an injury caused by back-and-forth or whipping motion of the head and neck when involved in a sudden impact. Car accidents are some of the most common reasons for whiplash injuries, and the impact of this type of damage can be significant. While symptoms often do not appear immediately, you may experience some of the following if you have whiplash:
- Headaches
- Tingling and numbness in the neck and extremities
- Pain and lack of range of motion
- Back pain
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems with balance
The severity of the side effects that you may experience depend on many factors, including your health at the time of the accident, any pre-existing medical conditions and the nature of your accident. Some people can recover from whiplash in a few weeks or months, but others may find that the impact of this injury has a long-term effect on their life.
You may require medical treatment from a specialist, and whiplash can easily impact your ability to work, drive, enjoy daily activities and more. You would be wise not to underestimate the serious nature of a whiplash injury or other type of injury, but seek the medical attention you need for a full recovery.
Do you have grounds for a civil claim?
It can be difficult to know what you should do after a car accident, but you do not have to deal with the aftermath alone. If another person’s negligent or reckless actions caused you harm, you may have grounds to move forward with a civil claim for restitution. Whiplash is a common injury that can have an uncommon impact on your life, but you have the right to fight for a full and fair recovery.