What You Should Know About Whiplash | Ottawa Lawyer
Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, with nearly 10% of all whiplash incidents resulting in long-term disabilities. Whiplash is also know as WAD.
Whiplash can become a serious issue
Whiplash victims often do not get the respect and sympathy they deserve. Many people believe whiplash cases are exaggerated. However, for some people this injury becomes a serious issue, causing chronic pain and dysfunction.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly snapped backwards or forwards. This may occur during contact sports and more commonly during car accidents. The most common way of contracting whiplash is when a car is rear-ended. While safety devices like seatbelts and headrests do help to a certain extent, many people end up getting whiplashed anyway. This is because the impact of whiplash is very sudden- there is no way to prepare for it.
When whiplash occurs, the soft tissues and muscles in the neck and shoulders get stretched. During a bad case of whiplash, they can also tear and bleed. Symptoms of whiplash often do not set in until a few days after the impact. Symptoms may include hoarseness and a difficulty in swallowing, blurry vision and dizziness. The person will also have problems moving his or her neck.
See a doctor immediately!
If you have sustained an injury and think you might have whiplash, you need to see a doctor immediately.
Why? Because whiplash affects some of the most vital parts of your body- the head, neck and spinal column. Even moderate forms of whiplash can lead to conditions like cervical spondylosis which is a degenerative disorder that leads to the narrowing of the spinal canal. If you do not deal with whiplash quickly, it could become a much bigger problem that can rake up hefty rehabilitation bills.
Yes, you may qualify for compensation.
Despite what your insurance adjuster may tell you, you may qualify for compensation if you have been injured or you suffer from whiplash. If your injury persists, consider consulting with a personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a case for compensation or accident benefits.
To speak with an Ottawa personal injury lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth call us at 613-233-4529, email us at [email protected] or use our contact form on the website to schedule your free no obligation appointment.
