The Barnes Firm

Does whiplash require a doctor? Our best car accident lawyer in San Francisco explains why it's a good idea to get medical treatment

Does Whiplash Go Away By Itself?

SAN FRANCISCO – Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that victims of a Bay Area car crash experience. The sudden jerking motion of your vehicle being pushed forward or backward can cause your neck to whip to and fro, resulting in a sprain – also known as whiplash. A car accident lawyer in the Bay Area says this sudden movement of the crash’s force can do significant damage to your neck, spine, and back. Although this injury is common, it’s not something to be taken lightly.

Because the painful effects of this injury often don’t set in until days later, whiplash is a complex condition. A car accident lawyer in San Francisco says immediately following a car crash, your adrenaline is pumping from the experience, and you might initially feel fine. But after your body gets a chance to rest and your muscles, tendons, and nerves begin to relax – that’s when the pain starts to set in from a whiplash injury.

The Symptoms Of Whiplash

The symptoms of a whiplash injury vary from mild to extreme. In some cases, you might not feel any pain but still be injured – depending on the way your head was positioned during the crash. The following are common symptoms one feels as the pain from whiplash begins to set in:

  • Stiffness and pain in your neck
  • Pain between your shoulders
  • Pain in your lower back
  • Numbness or pain in your hands and arms
  • Headaches that suddenly come on
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty sleeping, concentrating or focusing

What happens to your body when you get whiplash from a car accident is the tender muscles, tissues, and nerves around your neck and spine become damaged from the force of motion. Whiplash affects everyone differently, so it can be challenging to diagnose and treat. According to car accident lawyers in San Francisco, you might feel just one of the previously mentioned symptoms, or all of them. Because scar tissue from whiplash doesn’t always show up in medical scans and imaging, it’s not a simple diagnosis.

Does Whiplash Go Away By Itself?

Depending on the severity of your car accident, you may need medical attention to treat whiplash. Combining ice therapy, rest, and over the counter pain medication is sometimes enough to alleviate pain and treat your injury, but your regimen should be determined by a medical professional. With more serious forms of whiplash, it’s a good idea to see a doctor, for a multitude of reasons:

  • Doctors can identify complications that may exacerbate the pain.
  • A doctor can prescribe medication for pain and to relax your muscles.
  • You might need physical therapy as well. Having your injury checked out by a doctor is the only way to know the extent of treatment that’s required.

In any car accident, it’s wise to get medical attention and see a doctor. Even if you feel fine or only slightly sore, there could be a further injury to your neck or back that you’re unaware of. You won’t know for sure unless you visit a doctor. The risk of permanent pain or injury is not worth skipping the extra time it takes to see a doctor.

New York Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

If you’re experiencing pain from a whiplash injury caused by a car accident, get medical attention immediately. After that, it’s worth having a quick call with the Bay Area car accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm.

You can’t prevent someone from crashing into or rear-ending your car, but the experienced team of car accident lawyers in San Francisco can help you get the best possible result after being injured from someone else’s negligence.

The Barnes Firm is dedicated to helping victims from car accidents get the maximum compensation they’re owed. The best part is that you don’t pay your car accident lawyer in the Bay Area until they’ve recovered a settlement or verdict on your behalf. For sound legal advice following your car accident, you can trust The Barnes Firm. Call for your free consultation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

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