Whiplash and Back Injuries Following an Auto Accident
CAPE CORAL, FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Auto accidents do not have to happen at high speeds to cause injury to drivers and passengers. Even if your car was not damaged in an accident, you may suffer short-term or even long-term physical effects. Whiplash and back injuries are two common outcomes of auto accidents that can mildly or severely affect people.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common neck injury in auto accidents because sudden impacts can cause your neck and head to be tossed violently backward or forward. If your head was turned sideways, the injury can be more severe. Whiplash can damage a host of areas in your neck, including muscles, nerves, joints, disks and ligaments. Shoulders and arms can also be affected by whiplash.
Symptoms of Whiplash
In some cases, the accident victim will feel the effects of whiplash immediately following the accident. However, some symptoms will develop over time. It is important to be examined by a physician after an auto accident to make sure there are no hidden injuries that will leave you susceptible to future problems. Some symptoms of whiplash include:
- Headaches
- Neck/back pain
- Body soreness/stiffness
- Weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms and/or legs
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Attention/memory/concentration problems
- Irritability
- Jaw pain
Back Injuries
Injuries sustained to the complicated and critical back area can be debilitating and difficult to treat. With so many areas of the back susceptible to injury (low back, mid back, thoracic, lumbar and disks), it is easy to see why these areas are commonly damaged in car accidents.
Symptoms of Back Injuries
In the most severe cases, paralysis can occur. However, there are many other symptoms of back injuries that can cause a lifetime of pain, discomfort and reduced mobility. Some of those symptoms include:
- Chronic and/or sporadic back pain
- Weakness in arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling in legs, feet, or arms
- Sciatica pain that shoots down the leg(s) or arms
- Irregular bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing
As with whiplash, some back injury symptoms will be immediately obvious following the accident while some will develop over the following days, weeks, months or even years. You should be examined by a physician as soon as possible after the accident to have your condition evaluated.
If you or a loved one has sustained whiplash or back injuries as a result of an auto accident, the attorneys at Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith, P.A. can help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Please contact our office as soon as possible so we can get to work on your unique case.
