Do I Have Whiplash or Neck Pain?

Aches and pains in general are common after a serious car accident. This can make it difficult to figure out if your neck is sore or if you have whiplash. This is important because untreated whiplash can lead to long-term complications. Some people may not be able to use their neck in the same way again. If you were injured in a car accident, consider contacting a Jackson traffic accident attorney about compensation options.

Signs of whiplash

Any sharp twisting and bending of the neck can cause neck pain, but in many cases this can cause whiplash. Unlike general neck pain, whiplash is a condition that causes internal damage to the neck tissues. The nerves, muscles, and other soft tissues of the neck can become damaged.

Pain isn’t the only sign of whiplash after an accident. Other symptoms of whiplash include:

  • stiffness of the neck
  • dizziness
  • Pain that spreads to the shoulder or other areas
  • Ringing Ears
  • blurred vision

People may also face psychological symptoms of whiplash, such as trouble concentrating and memory. Some people struggle with fatigue or trouble sleeping after whiplash. This injury can affect a person’s life in many ways.

Left untreated, whiplash pain can be persistent and develop into chronic whiplash pain. In severe cases, some people can still develop chronic whiplash pain despite medical treatment. Chronic neck pain like this can significantly impact a person’s life, causing:

  • insomnia
  • relationship strain
  • Decreased work performance
  • depression or anxiety

Will I be compensated for whiplash?

Compared to other types of car accident injuries, whiplash does not appear to be as serious. However, you could still be entitled to significant compensation for your whiplash, depending on what happened. To get personal injury compensation, you need to prove that the other driver caused the car accident.

The severity of your whiplash and any other injuries you have sustained will determine the amount of compensation you may be awarded. You could get compensation for your medical bills and medications, but also:

  • pain and suffering
  • loss of wages
  • loss of joy
  • lost earning capacity

Proving some of this damage can be difficult. Damage such as pain and suffering cannot be backed up with hard evidence. Contact a Jackson auto accident attorney to see what steps you need to take to do this. An experienced lawyer can advise you on what evidence and documents you need to collect to prove all your damages.

This may include collecting documents, witness statements and testifying in court on your behalf. Your attorney can help you prepare for each of these steps, including what you will say in court.

Jackson traffic accident attorney

Having whiplash in addition to filing a car accident claim can be stressful. To speak to a Mississippi auto accident attorney for a consultation, call the German law firm PLLC today at (607) 487-0555. Our experienced team of lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. We are located in Jackson, Madison, Gulfport, Oxford and other Mississippi cities.