Is Whiplash a Concussion?

Being hurt in an accident raises many questions, chief among them is, "Is whiplash a concussion?" Both whiplash and concussions are serious injuries that you may sustain after a vehicle accident, especially if someone rear-ends you. There are some risk factors associated with the medical treatment needed for whiplash, such as the speed at which the car hit you. It's important to get medical care as soon as possible after you've been hurt. 

Whiplash is caused by the sudden motion of being jerked forward and then back in a vehicle accident. However, although a concussion might also occur in connection with whiplash, they are not one in the same and it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the true extent of your injuries. Only a qualified physician conducts the necessary screenings and tests to determine whether or not you have a whiplash injury, a concussion, both or something else. The sooner that you can speak with a knowledgeable medical professional, the easier it will be to pursue compensation for your injuries.

While a concussion can occur from a variety of different causes, such as a sports injury, a fall, or a vehicle accident, whiplash injuries are most frequently associated with car accidents. 

Common symptoms of whiplash and head injuries should always prompt you to visit your doctor's office. If chronic symptoms persist, you might take over-the-counter pain medications. If you begin to experience cognitive symptoms like poor memory, you might also have a concussion or other head injury. Talk to your doctor about concussion guidelines and characteristics consistent with head injuries. 

Common Injuries in Vehicle Accidents

Vehicle accidents are known for causing a broad range of injuries. Two of the most commonly reported medical conditions are concussions and whiplash. These injuries appear frequently in rear-end collisions but can occur as a result of several different types of incidents. While whiplash treatment and concussion treatment may occur together because of a dual injury, it is also very important to recognize how the symptoms of each one are unique so that you can better report these symptoms to your doctor.

One of the ways that whiplash and concussions are similar is that their symptoms may not present immediately after the accident. It can take hours or even a couple of days to understand how a vehicle wreck has impacted your body. This makes it extremely important to identify a doctor who can give you a firm diagnosis and can help you determine which of these is impacting you.

Although the initial impact of the accident can leave you with many different injuries, including head trauma, rear impact accidents often lead to concussions and whiplash. If your motor vehicle injury was caused by another person's negligence, you deserve to have your head injury, traumatic brain injury, or neck injury treated by medical professionals before you set up a time to meet with a personal injury lawyer. 

Understanding Whiplash Symptoms

Whiplash is a very particular form of neck strain that is caused by forceful or sudden movement of the head and neck. The tendons and muscles in the neck are stretched and torn in one or more places when whiplash occurs, usually because of the sudden impact of a vehicle striking something or being struck by someone else. Although some people do experience whiplash pain immediately, it is often shielded by the shock of going through the accident and by the adrenaline coursing through your body. This means you may not recognize its impacts immediately.

The symptoms of whiplash can include headaches at the base of the skull, loss of range of motion and stiffness, tenderness in the neck and head, or pain when moving. If you believe you might have whiplash, you should get medical attention right away to ensure that no more serious injuries have occurred. Most frequently, whiplash is treated with ice and rest, but it can also be treated with physical therapy, depending on the diagnosis of your doctor.

If you're already dealing with neck pain, blurred vision, and chronic pain, there's a chance that you might be dealing with a soft tissue injury or whiplash-type injury. If you're experiencing poor recovery, then you must share this with your doctor to determine the best treatment types. You might be able to find physical therapists in your area who can help you with these signs of injury, but your doctor might also want to run neuropsychological tests as well to rule out a concussion injury. 

Whiplash is extremely common in rear-end collisions, especially when a seatbelt is worn. The seatbelt helps to protect your body from more severe injuries in an accident but may leave you suffering the consequences of whiplash instead. When this has happened to you, you need to share your concerns with your doctor. Many people have whiplash symptoms that can clear up in a couple of weeks, but more severe cases may take longer.

Your doctor might also recommend chiropractic treatment for patients with injury symptoms consistent with car accident issues. A car accident can impact your daily living, and these factors should all be shared as part of your personal injury lawsuit. Your doctor can tell you more about your capacity for recovery. At some point, you might reach the point at which you still suffer chronic pain from whiplash but have no likelihood of improved conditions in the future. For severe crash victims, this is a common issue.