Whiplash is one of the most common car injuries, especially following rear-end collisions. When the head is forced backward and then forward rapidly, it can tear the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck and shoulders. If you were recently in an accident, here’s what you should know about this soft tissue injury—and about pursuing compensation for its resulting damages. 

Identifying Whiplash 

Any violent jerking of the head can result in whiplash. Some of the condition’s most common causes include sporting accidents, excessive repetitive motion, physical assault, and motor-vehicle collisions. Symptoms typically arise within 24 hours of the accident and include neck pain and stiffness, headaches that originate at the base of the skull, blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue, tingling and numbness in the arms, shoulder pain, and a decreased range of motion. 

Proving Whiplash 

Whiplash may seem like a relatively minor car injury, but its symptoms can be utterly debilitating. In fact, the condition could keep you out of work for weeks—or even months. As long as the accident that caused the injury wasn’t your fault, though, you may be entitled to compensation for damages like lost wages. However, because whiplash is a soft tissue injury, it doesn't necessarily appear on diagnostic images like X-rays. In other words, proving its severity will pose a challenge.

Thankfully, a strategic personal injury attorney can help. A lawyer can obtain statements from medical specialists explaining how the whiplash is affecting your everyday life. Medical records, dash cam footage, and photographs from the scene of the accident will also contribute to your claim. 

If you’re recovering from whiplash and other car injuries, turn to Peck & Peck Attorneys At Law for guidance. Led by a father and son with nearly four decades of combined experience, this Connecticut firm fights tirelessly on behalf of injured parties. Serving the Greater Hartford area, they provide strategic counsel in a variety of legal scenarios. To learn more about their personal injury attorneys, visit their website, and then call (860) 236-4728 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your car injuries.