Perhaps you suffered whiplash in a rear-end collision in Georgia. Whiplash occurs when the neck is rapidly flexed back and forth, and it causes strains or tears to the muscles and ligaments in the neck. It may also affect the neck vertebrae, the discs between them or the nerves.
Headaches and other whiplash symptoms
You should note that the symptoms of whiplash may not manifest for days or weeks after an accident. They can include headaches; dizziness; a stiff neck; numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers; and pain that goes down the back. You may also suffer from blurred vision or have trouble concentrating.
The headache will start at the base of the skull and usually affect one side of the head. Sometimes, though, victims may experience a headache behind their eyes or on the forehead. The headache may become worse when victims move their head, especially to look up.
When to see a doctor about whiplash
Whiplash symptoms normally disappear after a couple of weeks. If they persist after two to three weeks, though, or lead to worse conditions, like weakness in the arms and legs, then a person should see a doctor. Whiplash can be treated in a variety of ways: ice treatments on the neck, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, massages, stretches, chiropractic care and so on.
Filing a claim after a car accident
Most car accidents are due to negligence of some kind. If you were injured at the hands of a drowsy, distracted or drunk driver, you may have a valid compensation claim. Of course, it can be difficult to file a claim against another driver’s insurance company, so you may want a lawyer to assist. Most personal injury attorneys have a network of third parties, like crash investigators, who could help build up the case.