The first thing that typically comes to mind with car accidents is the more serious kind where injuries are a given. However, what is often overlooked are the smaller incidents. That leaves many to question can you get whiplash from a car accident with no damage? At The Law Offices of Nick Del Pizzo, a Baltimore law firm, we are here to take a closer look.
What causes whiplash in a car accident?
Whiplash is the non-medical term given to a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. It is associated with a sudden movement similar to the cracking of a whip. Often whiplash injuries occur in rear end car accidents. People hit from behind often suffer a sudden jolt to their neck. The nick is a very fragile part of the body. Even a low-speed impact can cause a whiplash injury.
Common signs and symptoms of whiplash
Most commonly, symptoms of whiplash include stiffness, neck pain, and headaches. Most people who suffer from it recover in a matter of weeks with a proper treatment plan.
Symptoms usually set in more than 24 hours after a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.
Common signs include:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck
- Increased fatigue
- Sharp pain with neck movement
- Loss of range of neck motion
- Should pain or tenderness in the upper back or arms
- Headaches coming from the base of the skull
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Dizziness
How is whiplash diagnosed?
A doctor may use the following tests in order to determine if there are signs of whiplash. These can include:
- X-Ray
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Will a lack of vehicle damage impact your claim?
Insurance companies may use the lack of damage in a car accident to argue that your injuries weren’t serious. However, the body is built much differently from an automobile. The best indicator of your likely payout in a whiplash case is the extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life.
Recent studies suggest that whiplash is more serious than previously thought. People who suffer whiplash are more likely to experience anatomical changes to the brain called Chiari malformation in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal.
It is key to work with an experienced team to help build up a potential case from an accident that may not have been serious but has left a lasting negative impact on your life.
About The Law Offices of Nick Del Pizzo
At the Law Offices of Nick Del Pizzo, we make ourselves available for our clients in a variety of case types. Ranging from foreclosure, bankruptcy, personal injury or medical malpractice. Whatever your legal need is, we are there for you, seven days a week. Your case becomes our cause, and we will seek the best resolution possible.