Whiplash Effect in Rear-End Vehicle Collisions

Rear-end vehicle collisions, you know, those crashes that happen when one car hits the back of another, are among the most common types of traffic accidents. They make up about a third of all car accidents in the United States. These accidents have various causes and can occur under different circumstances, even at moderate speeds. Although they might seem like minor accidents, they can actually have significant effects on the health of those involved. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes account for 6% of fatal accidents.

How Do They Happen?

The causes of rear-end collisions are as common as the accidents themselves; often, they result from poor driving habits. Typically, when these accidents occur, the blame is almost automatically placed on the driver who rear-ends the other vehicle, since drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance that allows for sudden braking if needed. It’s also common for the struck vehicle to be stopped or parked.

Some habits that increase the risk of rear-end collisions include:

• Distractions: Like using a cellphone and not paying enough attention to the road.
• Acceleration: Suddenly speeding up after being stopped increases the risk of causing an accident.
• Tailgating: Following the vehicle in front too closely.
• Following too closely: Failing to keep a safe distance between vehicles increases the risk of a collision if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly.

Effects 

It’s believed that if both vehicles are similar in structure, the collision is like hitting a wall at half the speed of the impact. If there’s a big difference in size, the smaller vehicle will take the brunt of the impact.

Whiplash, also known as neck strain, is the most common injury resulting from these collisions. This injury can have serious medical consequences and significantly affect the quality of life for the person who suffers it. Despite being one of the most common injuries from car accidents, the scientific community doesn’t fully understand it. Whiplash usually affects the nerves, discs, muscles, and tendons of the neck.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you might be suffering from whiplash effects:

• Neck pain and stiffness.
• Pain that worsens when you move your neck.
• Loss of neck movement range.
• Headaches starting at the base of the skull.
• Feeling weak or stiff in the shoulders, back, or arms.
• Tingling or numbness in the arms.
• Irritability.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.

Diagnosis

Whiplash can be diagnosed using various medical equipment:

• X-rays: They can help with initial diagnosis, but whiplash often involves damage to tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue that can’t be seen with X-rays.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Detailed images from MRI scans allow for a thorough examination of organs and soft tissue, making it one of the best options for an accurate diagnosis.
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: These advanced medical devices provide high-resolution images with detailed views of organs, fat, muscles, and bones.

There are different types of whiplash, with severity levels ranging from grade 0 to grade 4.

• Grade 0: Whiplash with no pain or signs of injury.
• Grade 1: Pain and difficulty moving, along with sensitivity in the affected area.
• Grade 2: All symptoms from grade 1, plus visible injuries. Pain may extend to other areas like the head, shoulders, back, and face.
• Grade 3: Neurological symptoms start to appear. Inflammation from the injury disrupts nerve signals to and from the brain. Symptoms may include numbness, headaches, tingling sensations in areas near the injury, vision problems, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, and voice changes.
• Grade 4: Includes all symptoms from grade 3 but more severe. This could indicate a fractured or misaligned neck vertebra, causing pressure on the spinal cord or adjacent nerves.

Treatment for Whiplash

Various factors need to be considered when starting treatment for whiplash. Doctors first consider the patient’s overall health, age, and symptoms before prescribing treatment.

For milder cases of whiplash, like grades 0 to 1, lighter techniques are used, such as applying ice for the first 24 hours, gentle movements after the first day post-accident, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

For more severe conditions caused by whiplash, different medications may be prescribed, such as lidocaine injections or certain types of antidepressants that help reduce nerve pain.

Additionally, for moderate to severe cases, physical therapy may be included to recover and strengthen neck muscles and mobility. Depending on the symptoms, electrical stimulation may be used to reduce pain.

In more complicated cases, patients may develop persistent pain and disability, leading to psychological complications like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In these instances, physical therapy should be complemented by mental health specialists.

The goal of whiplash treatments is to provide support so the body can regain strength and mobility while minimizing symptoms, allowing the patient to return to pre-accident neck usage levels.

The long-term effects of a cervical whiplash injury can be limiting and negatively impact your lifestyle. If you experience any of the symptoms described above, you could be suffering from the consequences of a cervical whiplash injury and should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may qualify for financial compensation if your income has decreased or if you’ve incurred unexpected medical expenses due to the injury.

The PIP Help Center can assist you in obtaining the treatment and compensation you need.

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