Car accidents in Georgia result in a number of injuries. Whiplash represents one of the most common outcomes of a collision, generally caused when the forces of impact jerk your head forward and back. Whiplash often leads to pain, discomfort, and a reduced range of motion.
Considering these factors, it’s normal to wonder: how long does a whiplash injury last after a car accident? The recovery time for whiplash varies based on several factors. You can learn more about this injury with our team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers.
General Time Frame to Recover from Whiplash
According to Mayo Clinic, most people recover from whiplash within a few weeks of their car accident. Generally, patients recover fully and do not face lasting symptoms after this period of time. However, some patients may take months or years to fully recover.
Doctors cannot easily predict how quickly patients will recover from whiplash. Generally, doctors expect a longer recovery time if patients face symptoms like:
- Pain spreading to their arms
- Severe pain in their necks
- Limited range of motion
Additionally, patients who experience rapid and intense symptoms generally take longer to recover. However, these factors do not have the same effects in all cases involving whiplash.
Can Whiplash Injuries Be Permanent?
In some severe cases, patients report pain and discomfort from a whiplash injury for the rest of their lives. However, the majority of patients recover from the effects of whiplash, even if it takes several years.
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As we mentioned, doctors have a hard time predicting how long it will take patients to recover from whiplash in Georgia. However, some risk factors tend to appear in patients who take longer to heal. These patients often:
- Have pre-existing pain in their neck or lower back
- Experienced whiplash before
- Were involved in a high-speed accident
Additionally, older patients generally take longer to recover from their injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, these factors do not apply in all cases.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Getting treatment quickly can help you speed your recovery from whiplash. Knowing the symptoms of this injury can help you determine if and when you need to go to the doctor. According to Cleveland Clinic, common whiplash symptoms include:
- Headaches and pain
- Muscle spasms
- A stiff neck and reduced range of motion
- Fatigue and anxiety
- Issues with your memory
You may also feel numb or tingly in your arms. Many patients report tenderness in the upper back and shoulders. Generally, the pain you experience grows worse when you move your neck if you are dealing with whiplash.
Less common whiplash symptoms include blurred vision, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), problems concentrating, and sleep disturbances.
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Accidents That Cause Whiplash in Georgia
Any time your head is thrown back and forward forcefully, you could end up facing a whiplash injury. Some situations are more likely to result in whiplash than others. In many cases, individuals experience whiplash, and other injuries, as a result of:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents represent one of the primary causes of whiplash in Georgia. Rear-end accidents cause more whiplash cases than other kinds of accidents because the impact throws passengers forward and then back again.
However, you may experience whiplash in other accidents, as well. We recommend seeking legal help if you ended up with whiplash after a car, truck, or bus accident in Georgia.
Contact Sport Accidents
Contact sports like football and hockey often result in whiplash, due to the collisions on the field. Make sure you seek medical treatment if you experience pain after an accident.
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What Is the Best Treatment for Whiplash?
Your doctor can set up a personalized treatment plan for your whiplash. Many medical professionals prescribe muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory medications after diagnosing a patient with whiplash. They may also advise you to apply heat to the affected area, loosening up the muscles.
Serious cases of whiplash may require physical therapy in order to help a patient regain their full range of motion. You can do a number of stretches and exercises in your own home in order to address the symptoms of whiplash.
Make sure that you follow your doctors’ orders throughout your treatment period. You may request your doctor reevaluate your condition if you continue to experience symptoms after three months of treatment. In this case, a medical professional may decide to offer you additional treatment.
Speak to Us If You’re Dealing with Whiplash
How long does a whiplash injury last after a car accident? These injuries may last weeks, months, or years, depending upon your situation. Our team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can step in to help you secure compensation for your care after this kind of injury.
Find out more by reaching out to a car accident lawyer online.
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