What Is Whiplash & How Long Does It Last?

If you have been injured in a car accident, there is a good chance you may have a slight, or even severe, case of whiplash. While the name is common, many people don’t know what whiplash actually is and how long it lasts. Our Detroit car accident attorneys at Goodman Acker P.C. provide information to help accident victims and others understand what it means to suffer from whiplash.

What should you know about whiplash?

1. Whiplash is a neck injury. Also called neck strain or neck sprain, whiplash is characterized by neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, pain or numbness in the shoulders, arms, or hands, headaches, and difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
2. Whiplash is caused by sharp motion of the neck. When there is a jerking motion forward or backward, the vertebrate, cervical muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerve roots of the neck may be injured. This jerking motion is common in car accidents where the vehicle is slammed or stops abruptly.
3. Whiplash can last for several months. While mild and moderate cases of whiplash may last from a few days to three months, severe cases may last six months or longer. In these cases, the whiplash is referred to as chronic. Treatments include painkillers, physical therapy, heat, and ice; however, no single treatment is proven to be completely effective.

Whiplash affects many people. Whether the crash is a simple rear-end or a more severe accident, neck injuries, including whiplash, may occur. At Goodman Acker P.C., our Detroit car accident lawyers have more than 75 years of experience representing clients, and we can discuss your options for seeking the compensation you need for your injuries.

Call us today for a free case review.