Whiplash and concussion can be separate injury conditions, but they can form a detrimental connection. Whiplash can be incurred during a rear-end car accident due to the head’s sudden, violent movement. Concussion, however, is an injury to the brain caused by a stroke or severe blow to the head.
So, can you get a concussion from whiplash? Indeed, both above-mentioned injuries are dissimilar yet they appear to be relevant in many cases. Whiplash potentially contributes to the development of a concussion, and their connection can show strongly in car accidents.
Car accidents are a quite complicated and sometimes dismissed area of personal injury law. Your recovery, rights in law, and in general, your condition can be influenced significantly when you have whiplash or a concussion so that is why the first thing is to find the truth about “Can whiplash cause concussion?” and what to do next.
How Can Whiplash Cause Concussion?
Research proves that whiplash and concussion are interlinked, even though it is not the most obvious.
Concussions are the most common issue related to whiplash, since the head may jerk suddenly and violently in those cases.
So, how can whiplash cause concussion? A review of the science behind the whip wound may offer some insight into this link.
The rapid and forceful movement of the head is the dominant cause of the neck whiplash injury in car rear-end crashes. A concussion is also caused by a stroke or a strong blow to the head that falls on it.
It accelerates and then decelerates rapidly, therefore, moving in a spinning motion inside the skull when the head is jerked violently forward and backward. In such a sudden, forceful movement, the brain may strike against the skull. This may lead to concussion-type swelling, bleeding, and chemical imbalances. It can also result in stiffness, pain, and decreased or limited range of motion.
Of the 3 million whiplash sufferers annually, almost 50% experience concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries from their automobile accidents. These figures demonstrate how frequently whiplash and concussions occur together, particularly in the setting of a vehicle collision.
Neglecting to acknowledge and handle this relationship appropriately may have adverse consequences. If you only receive treatment for whiplash, you may not realize the potential to have a concussion. This may lead to long-term symptoms.
Moreover, the insurance companies minimize or try to deny the concussion so that you fail to secure maximum compensation. As such, as a car accident victim, you will need advice from experts in the law and medicine familiar with these physical complications.
Can Whiplash Cause Concussion Short-Term and Long-Term Risks?
Now you already know how closely can whiplash cause concussion. You should also be aware of the various health hazards these detrimental injuries may bring.
Although the immediate impacts might be concerning, the lasting effects of a concussion caused by whiplash could be more serious and incapacitating.
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Short-term impacts:
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea
- Concentration and memory difficulty (cognitive impairments)
- Ear ringing
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Temporary unconsciousness
These severe neurological symptoms need to be treated right away since they might last for days or weeks.
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Long-term impacts:
- Post-traumatic headache in a chronic condition that is intensified in severity
- Higher prevalence of depressive, anxiety, and other mood disorders
- Fastest progression of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
A report found that individuals who had previously encountered a concussion were 2.4 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease even though there was an absence of it in people without a history of the injury. Also, even a mild brain injury might boost your amyloid levels which are signals of Alzheimer’s.
Often clear but the relationship between whiplash and concussion can transform itself into more severe neurological issues, frequent headaches, and cognitive impairment. To minimize the short- and long-term health effects, whiplash and any embedded concussions should be diagnosed and treated quickly.
What You Should Do Next: Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer for Injuries
You need to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. You may want to initiate a lawsuit aside from this, for protection of your rights. A Niceville car accident attorney at Browning Law Firm would provide you with the advice you need regarding filing your claim and getting proper compensation.
There might be serious legal implications from the whiplash. Apart from the heavy costs of medical treatment for brain damage and whiplash, there could be other continual challenges that hamper your ability to work or even resume daily life and achieve a better standard of living. Auto accident lawyers can ensure that you get what you deserve.
Insurance companies might try to minimize or dispute the seriousness of your injuries, especially when it comes to the question “Can whiplash cause concussion?” Therefore, a lawyer will ensure medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and other records required for the inquiry are available.
The attorney will then try to get fair recompense for any losses. This would take into account the initial personal medical care expenses but any potential future costs of ongoing therapies, particular accommodations, or care in the event of long-term physical or cognitive impairments.
They will deal with all the paperwork, contacts, and discussions with the insurance company, while you receive compensation for lost income, post-accident wages, and extreme pain and suffering.
Browning Law Prioritizes Your Health and Legal Rights
Can whiplash cause concussion? Whiplash concussions can cause effects that are short-and long-term, from chronic pain to memory problems and other brain conditions. Your legal rights need to be looked after in such cases.
If you are in a car accident in Niceville, be sure to contact the Niceville car accident attorney at Browning Law Firm for protection of your interests regarding compensation for injuries, lost wages, and medical treatment.
Rockies Ripple is the founder and lead writer behind the independent blog tvplutos.com