What’s The Most Common Injury In Auto Accidents?

Automobile accidents can cause all types of injuries to both passengers and drivers. But due to the prevalence of rear-end collisions, whiplash has become the most common type of automobile accident injury reported.

The term “whiplash,” while still often used, is also now commonly referred to as cervical sprain, cervical strain, or hyperextension injury.
 

What Causes Whiplash?

Whiplash is caused in auto accidents when the force from an impact causes a person’s head to violently snap back and forth. The unexpected impact can cause injuries to a person’s vertebrae, neck muscles, and ligaments. Even at low speeds, everyone involved in an automobile accident is susceptible to whiplash injuries.

What Are The Symptoms Of Whiplash?

One of the biggest challenges of suffering a whiplash injury is that the symptoms aren’t always immediately apparent. Someone involved in an auto accident may not notice anything right away, but over the course of a few days may begin suffering from any or all of the following:

• Tightness and stiffness in the neck
• Serious neck pain
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Problems with balance and/or equilibrium
• Back pain
• Difficulty remembering things
• Trouble concentrating

Generally speaking, those with minor-to-moderate cases of whiplash will make a full recovery in anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Severe cases of whiplash can take a year or more to recover from, and in the worst cases, it may become a lifelong condition.
 

How Can An Attorney Help?

If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident and suffered a whiplash injury, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Your attorney can help you arrange for proper medical care if needed, and begin negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf while you recover.

Even if your injuries seem minor, your attorney can help ensure that your medical expenses and any income lost as a result of your accident are taken care of. To learn more, please contact our office today for a free consultation.