One of the most frequent complaints we see from clients in the aftermath of serious car crashes are neck, head and shoulder pain. More often that not, the hospital has given the client a generic handout describing whiplash. Whiplash is not really a medical term and is used broadly to describe symptoms from the whipsaw effect of the head being moved backwards and then forwards and back again from a rear end collision.
Symptoms and healing vary from individual to individual with some people healing on their own within a week and others with more serious symptoms which linger for a month or more. Doctors are not entirely sure of the pathology of whiplash symptoms but over 13 years of handling cases, its obvious something is going on. People often ask me whether it is worth it to make a claim after sustaining a whiplash injury and the answer is “sometimes.” Every injury does not need to become a claim. I tell my clients to use common sense. If you made a quick recovery and don’t need serious medical care, let it lie. On the other hand, if neck and head pain are lingering and your doctor does not seem to be able to lessen the pain then, you can look at your options for making a claim. At the end of the day, we all have to live in the society we make and you want to follow the golden rule. Do unto others…
The good news is car makers are drastically improving their headrest technology and this should help to reduce the number of serious whiplash injuries from a Georgia car accident. As with all advanced safety equipment, the rich get the products first. Airbags, electronic skid protection and side impact beams were once only found in luxury vehicles but are now common in all cars. Compare the whiplash in the first video with the whiplash visualized with the Volvo WHIPS system in play in the video below.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the Active Head Restraint system (AHR)
Saab, Opel, Ford, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, and Peugeot – Active Head restraint system (SAHR)
Volvo and Jaguar implemented the Whiplash Protection System/Whiplash Prevention System (WHIPS) which has some of the most promising test results.
Toyota – Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) system.
If you have whiplash after a car accident in Georgia and are wondering what to do, use good common sense. See your family doctor. If it persists, get an appointment with an orthopedist who works with necks. You want to make sure all health care is either paid for by your medical payments insurance or by your health insurance. You do not want your doctors to be treating you “on a lien” unless you have not other options. Sadly, most insurance companies do not take chiropractic care seriously so choose that treatment route at your own peril.
Christopher Simon, Attorney at Law
3535 Piedmont Road
Building 14 Suite 410
Atlanta GA 30305
(404) 259-7635