When a car accident occurs there are a variety of different injuries that a victim could suffer. After a car accident, two of the most common injuries victims sustain are whiplash and concussions. Although these two injuries have similar symptoms, they are different. Victims can sustain either or both of these injuries in a collision. Unfortunately, these types of injuries can have delayed effects which is why it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention after an accident. Even if your injuries seem minor, some injuries like whiplash and a concussion are not visible, yet they still need to be examined and treated by a medical professional. Please continue to follow along to learn about the difference between these two types of injuries and how a trusted Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer can help you today.
Why do people confuse concussions and whiplash injuries after a car accident?
Whiplash and concussions are often confused because they have similar symptoms. In some cases, people can sustain both whiplash and concussions after a collision, which can make it challenging to understand the differences between the two injuries.
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the head suddenly moves backward and forward, resulting in strain on the neck. Victims of rear-end collisions often sustain whiplash as a result of the forceful impact. This type of injury often presents with the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Tingling in the arms
- Stiffness or loss of range of motion
- Pain with neck movement
- Tenderness in the shoulder, head, neck, back, and upper arms
Typically, the symptoms of whiplash don’t present themselves immediately. They often don’t present until a couple of days after an accident. Unfortunately, sometimes individuals don’t fully recover from whiplash and suffer from chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) which can cause victims to experience severe neck problems.
Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. In more severe cases it could result in loss of consciousness. This type of TBI has cognitive symptoms. The symptoms that present from this TBI include the following:
- Headache
- Fatigue and sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Lack of coordination
- Memory loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
Unfortunately, sometimes individuals develop post-concussion syndrome (PCS) which can negatively affect an individual for years after an accident. Oftentimes, concussions
If you have been injured in a car accident and as a result sustained either or both a concussion or whiplash, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our determined and skilled team members as you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Our firm is committed to helping our clients get the justice they deserve.
