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Omaha Car Accident Whiplash Attorney

Legal Help for Victims of Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident

Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash are fairly common after a car collision, especially if you were rear-ended. While full recovery is possible in the majority of cases, you may still suffer pain and incur high medical costs. In some cases, the pain and trauma of a collision can result in psychological complications that extend beyond the physical injury.

When we drive in Omaha, we assume that the people around us will maintain control of their vehicles and behave in a way that is responsible while on the road. If they do not, and end up causing a crash, their insurance companies should cover all the victim’s injuries and damages.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a common term used to refer to injuries to the soft tissue in the neck and upper shoulder area. Soft tissue includes muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can be injured through use over time, such as strains and sprains due to playing sports, or damaged in a traumatic accident.

Whiplash specifically refers to a traumatic injury in which a person's head suddenly snaps backwards and then forwards, usually as a result of a car crash where a person is struck from behind by another vehicle while sitting at rest.

Physical symptoms from whiplash may include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Stiffness and pain in the upper shoulders
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Jaw pain due to proximity injuries
  • Back pain that travels down from the neck

Since whiplash often takes days or weeks to manifest, it’s advisable to see a medical professional as soon as possible after your crash. A full evaluation will help if you intend to file an insurance claim for your damages in the crash.

How Is Whiplash Treated?

Treatment for whiplash has been refined over the years. It usually consists of protecting the area, managing pain, and slowly exercising the damaged tissue. In the past, whiplash patients often wore a protective collar to prevent additional strain and injury. These types of collars are still worn initially, but are usually relied upon for a much shorter period of time.

Instead, doctors now tend to encourage patients with whiplash injuries to begin moving their necks with reasonable limits within a few days of the injury. This helps prevent stiffening that can lead to long-term complications and pain. Pain management is usually necessary, especially as neck pain can easily interfere with sleep and daily routines, and some additional medical treatment may be needed to ensure a proper recovery.

What Are Examples of Other Soft Tissue Injuries?

Many other types of soft tissue injuries can result from a motor vehicle collision, and they are also quite common in sports injuries and falls. When someone is in a car crash, tissue in the shoulders, wrists, and back can all be damaged by the force of the impact. Serious muscle, tendon, or ligament pulls and tears can take weeks or longer to recover from and be very painful.

One of the biggest risks with whiplash injuries is the prospect of "whiplash associated disorders." These are psychological issues that can arise as a result of the pain and suffering that occurs with whiplash, especially if it is not treated properly. Such disorders are no less serious than physical injury and can have much more far-reaching and long-term effects on a person after a serious crash.

Psychological symptoms caused by whiplash-associated disorders may include:

  • Depression
  • Anger and frustration
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Drug dependency due to ongoing pain management
  • Insomnia
  • Other changes in lifestyle

If you or a loved one has suffered a whiplash injury, please contact Bottlinger Law L.L.C. to discuss your situation with an Omaha car accident attorney. We will go over the facts of your case, and determine whether you have a strong claim against the at-fault driver. Then, we will help you file the claim to get the compensation you need to truly heal. Call (402) 505-8234 for a free consultation today.

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