If you’ve been in a Texas auto accident, you may have found that symptoms like head and neck pain, stiffness, or dizziness didn’t set in until a day or two after the crash. You may have wondered why you suddenly felt terrible when, at the time of the accident, you thought you had escaped unharmed.
If this sounds familiar, you should see a doctor immediately. Many patients who report similar symptoms, especially after a rear-end or front-end crash, discover that they are suffering from a neck sprain or similar injury. Other serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries or neck fractures, may cause similar symptoms. All of these conditions can lead to serious complications if they are not treated by a medical professional.
A neck sprain, commonly known as “whiplash,” is a common result of rear-end and some front-end crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 20 percent of people involved in rear-end crashes suffer some symptoms of whiplash.
Whiplash can be difficult to diagnose since there is no single medical test that can identify a neck sprain. However, tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI images can help rule out other conditions, like broken bones, that might cause similar symptoms.
The more quickly a whiplash injury or other serious head or neck injury is identified, the sooner it can be treated. Treatment for whiplash can reduce pain and swelling and help the patient heal more quickly and more completely. Since 10 to 40 percent of whiplash patients suffer lingering symptoms even after the soft tissue appears to have healed, prompt treatment can be essential to minimizing long-term damage.
If you have been injured in a Texas auto accident and suffered a whiplash injury, do not hesitate to contact Brown Trial Firm, PLLC for a free consultation.