The most common causes of whiplash are injuries that arise from motor vehicle accidents (MVA). So you’re stopped at a red light, waiting for the light to turn green and suddenly you hear the screech of tires followed by a sudden jolt as the car from behind collides into the back of your vehicle. Even if you see the inevitable collision prior to the impact, the sudden jolt occurs so fast that you really don’t have a chance to brace and you feel yourself being forced back into the seat and headrest followed by a rebound forward.
You’ve just been in a car accident. Your heart is pounding, your hands are shaking, and you’re not sure what just happened. What do you do next? Should you call the police? Get your insurance company on the phone? Call the hotline that you’ve seen advertised on billboards and television?
Your first call should be to the police to report the accident. An officer will arrive at the scene to take statements, assess the damage, and determine who was at fault and write any necessary citations. If you are having difficulty breathing, experiencing blurred vision, double vision, nausea, difficulty moving your arms and legs or suspect you may have any broken bones, request to be taken the emergency room. Otherwise, your first call needs to be to a qualified personal injury doctor.
If you've been in a car accident, no matter how small the accident may be, it is very important to get checked by a medical professional to ensure proper diagnosis and course of treatment.
Immediately After the Accident
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the first thing you need to do is stop your car or truck, pull over to the side of the road if you can. Most states make leaving the scene of an accident a crime.
Check to see whether you or your passengers have been injured. See if the occupants of the other vehicle(s) are okay, too. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance, it is usually best not to move an injured person yourself. Prevent additional injuries by making your vehicle visible: set out flares, turn on your hazard lights or raise the hood of your vehicle.
When the Police Arrive
Cooperate with any police officers who are at the scene of the accident. Provide them with whatever information they request, including information on injuries and witnesses, but avoid making editorial comments or admitting responsibility for what happened. Legal liability is complex, and you may not have the facts you need to determine who was responsible for the accident.
Injuries to the neck caused by the sudden movement of the head, backward, forward, or sideways, is referred to as whiplash. Whiplash is most commonly received from riding in a car that is struck from behind or that collides with another object. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal range of motion, the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine and head can be strained or torn. The discs between the vertebrae in the spine can bulge, tear, or herniate. The bones in the cervical spine can be misaligned from the normal position, reducing range of motion and causing pain and discomfort. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck can get stretched and irritated. Although the damage to a car in an accident may be slight, the occupants can suffer considerable soft tissue injury.
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Chiropractor Atlanta Ga | Accident Medical Specialists
5335 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 (678) 223-3900