New Jersey residents may be interested to learn that whiplash is a very common type of injury that can occur when people are involved in a motor vehicle collision. The injury is caused by a sudden movement forward followed by a sudden movement backward of the head and neck, with the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle having the potential to hyper-extend the tissues and muscles in the neck.
Whiplash commonly occurs as a result of a rear-end collision, as the force of this type of accident can cause a person’s head to rapidly move forward and then backward. People can reduce their risk of suffering a whiplash injury by always using their safety belt and properly adjusting the headrest on the back of their seat. Both can help keep the person secure in their seat and prevent potential damage by keeping the person’s head from extending too far back in an accident.
Whiplash can be mild, with victims bouncing back quickly. In some cases, however, whiplash can cause chronic and debilitating conditions, with symptoms lasting for months or even years. More severe cases can include damage to surrounding tissues and bones. People may experience chronic pain and stiffness along with a reduced range of motion for long periods of time following an accident.
When a person is injured in a car accident, he or she may suffer associated financial expenses and losses beyond the property damage to his or her vehicle. When another driver was at fault for an accident, an injured person may be able to recover compensation for their damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. Those who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident may wish to speak to a personal injury attorney about the facts of their case and potential recoverable damages.
Source: MedicineNet.com, “Whiplash“, November 29, 2014
