Immediately after a car crash in Texas, you may not feel as though you were injured. Many symptoms of an injury only appear after several hours or even days following an accident. Whiplash injuries, which are common in rear-end collisions and other types of car accidents, may take several days to show their true severity.
A whiplash injury, also known as a neck sprain or neck strain, is a soft tissue injury that occurs when the head and neck are thrown forward and jerked backward quickly, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Moderate to severe whiplash injuries may also cause damage to the discs and joints in the spine, ligaments, muscles, and nerve roots in the neck.
The symptoms of a whiplash injury may appear immediately after an accident, or they may not appear for several days. Common symptoms include neck pain or stiffness, head pain, dizziness, and pain in the shoulders or upper back. Some patients also have cognitive injuries, such as suffering from memory loss, sleep disturbances, and an inability to concentrate.
Whiplash injuries should be treated as soon as possible after they materialize. Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants can help ease the pain and stiffness of a whiplash injury. Patients may also wear a cervical collar for a few days or weeks until the neck heals enough to support the weight of the head on its own. Physical therapy sessions may also be necessary to help speed recovery.
If you are in a car accident in Texas, it’s important to pay careful attention to your condition in the hours and days after the accident occurs. Even if you feel fine immediately after, you may still be injured. Seek the help of an experienced physician to treat your injuries, and consider talking to an experienced Texas car accident neck injury lawyer who understands whiplash injuries to learn more about your rights and options after a car crash.
