One of the most commonly reported symptoms of pain after a vehicle accident is whiplash. Whiplash and neck pain are used to describe tingling, numbness and pain that radiates throughout the shoulders, upper back and the neck. Whiplash is caused by the sudden thrusting of your body and head forward and backwards, which is very common in rear end and other vehicle accidents.
The speed of the cars, the circumstances of the accidents and your underlying health can all influence the length of time it takes to recover from neck pain after a car accident. In general, neck pain from a vehicle accident can last anywhere from a couple of hours to weeks or even months depending on the severity. The sudden amount of stress on your neck can also be influenced by numerous factors such as where you were seated in the car and whether or not you were wearing your seatbelt at the time.
Millions of people get diagnosed with whiplash from car accidents every single year. You may have trouble turning your head from side to side without an increase in pain. Your doctor may prescribe you medication and suggest that you rest in addition to referring you to physical therapy. However, pinched nerves and herniated discs are other common neck pain problems that may lead to further issues. Monitor for the following symptoms in the days and hours after a car accident and report these to your doctor if you experience them: migraines, dull throbbing pain, stabbing pain, reduced range of motion, vomiting or nausea.
If you continue to experience neck pain after the accident, stay in touch with your doctor and continue to update them about any new symptoms. You may need to gather all of this information for your personal injury claim. A San Francisco personal injury lawyer is there to help you file your legal claim and ensure that your neck pain and other details are included in any compensation.