When people are involved in a car accident in Washington, one of the first things they do is assess their condition and that of their passengers. In situations where the collision was violent, but the victims are okay, it can be easy for them to discount injuries as they do not recognize anything that is immediately wrong with them. However, in the days or even weeks following the accident, they may begin to notice subtle changes. What many fail to realize is that these alterations to their well-being or physical abilities could actually be the sign of a more severe problem that stemmed from the impact they experienced in their car accident.
Whiplash for example, is one of the most common problems that many car accident victims experience after a collision. However, oftentimes it is not immediately noticeable. According to Web MD, whiplash or a sprained neck is the result of cervical muscles, intervertebral joints, nerve roots and discs becoming damaged because of sudden and violent impact. Often, whiplash is detected using an MRI or CT scan. Usually whiplash is effectively treated using various techniques including therapy and gentle exercising. In many cases, over-the-counter pain medications are prescribed to manage pain levels and facilitate a person’s recovery.
Common symptoms of whiplash include the following:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Neck pain
- Numbness
- Memory loss
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reported that in the year 2016, there were 537 traffic fatalities in the state of Washington. This is approximately eight fatalities out of every 100,000 people.