What are the symptoms of whiplash after a traffic accident? If your head makes a drastic pendulum movement as a result of being rear-ended by a car, the cervical spine is stretched. This violent movement can result in post-whiplash syndrome. This causes many unpleasant complaints that can last for a long time. In this article, you can read the signs and symptoms associated with whiplash after a traffic accident.
Damaged muscles
With whiplash, the muscles of the neck are strained and damaged. These muscles can then become trigger points of pain and this can persist for a very long time.
Symptoms of whiplash
The most common symptoms of whiplash are:
- headache
- neck pain
- shoulder complaints
- forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- insomnia
Overview of symptoms
However, the list of symptoms of whiplash after a traffic accident is much longer than that. Whiplash is a complicated injury to the muscles, nerves, and brain. Are you experiencing one or more of these symptoms? Then you can be compensated for your damage (see our page Whiplash injury compensation? for more information).
Headache due to whiplash
- The pain increases with certain movements, especially stretching and twisting the neck is painful and limited
- Pain on one side of the head, sometimes radiating from the neck
- Pain radiating to the back of the head
- The headache may be present on one side, but often it is also seen on both sides.
- The pain sometimes resembles a migraine
Neck pain due to whiplash
- Neck pain worsens with movement
- Movement is limited
- Constant nagging pain may be present
Shoulder complaints due to whiplash
- Shoulders feel tense and painful
- Limited range of motion
- The pain in the shoulders radiates to the neck and back of the head
Forgetfulness and concentration problems due to whiplash
- Not being able to watch an entire movie
- After reading a few pages in a book, not knowing what it is about
- Not being able to perform complicated tasks
Insomnia due to whiplash
- As a result of the pain in your head, neck, and shoulder, not being able to relax
Psychological problems due to whiplash
- Gloom and depressive symptoms
- Anxiety disorders
- Increased irritability
- More emotional
- Character changes
Other complaints due to whiplash
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Poor vision
- Hypersensitivity to (bright) light and (loud) noises
- Balance problems
The above complaints can lead to fear of moving. This while (light) movement can be conducive to recovery. Medics are therefore divided about the use of a neck collar for whiplash. Ask your doctor about the pros and cons of wearing a neck collar.
Healing whiplash
Fortunately, a large number of the victims recover completely after proper treatment. Others have permanent neck complaints and become partially or even completely incapacitated for work as a result of the persistent symptoms of whiplash.
It is important to seek professional help for whiplash recovery. A doctor can diagnose and recommend the best course of treatment. This often involves physiotherapy. In many cases, a doctor will also prescribe painkillers or muscle relaxants. These will relax the cramped muscles in the neck somewhat and allow them to loosen up more easily.
Tips for whiplash
- Visit the doctor immediately after the accident.
- Alternate moments of rest and exercise.
- Try to keep moving in the way you are used to as much as possible.
- Do not carry on with unexplained complaints, but seek advice from the Whiplash Foundation.
Stubborn insurers
Because whiplash complaints can arise from various causes (e.g. fall from the stairs, bumper car, slip, ski accident, soccer header, or horseback riding) and because the physical damage is often difficult to demonstrate, it is difficult to analyze symptoms of whiplash. This sometimes causes problems for insurance companies. A good personal injury attorney will help you to have this legal discussion and get your entire damage reimbursed.
Frequently asked questions from personal injury victims
Q: What should I do if the third-party liability insurer rejects my claim?
A: Many personal injury claims are unjustly rejected. Especially when it comes to whiplash complaints. That is why it is important to always seek legal assistance. Has your personal injury case been rejected? Please contact us for a free second opinion.
Q: When am I entitled to compensation for whiplash complaints?
A: You are entitled to compensation if someone else is liable for your whiplash complaints. For example, if you were hit from behind at a red traffic light. Not sure if you can hold someone liable? Then share your story with our lawyers. We can investigate liability for you free of charge.
Q: When will my compensation be paid out?
A: Your compensation will be paid out when you have recovered from your whiplash complaints. Suppose your whiplash complaints are chronic. Then there comes a time when there is no longer any prospect of further recovery. Then that is the moment when your compensation is paid out.
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