Whiplash is a neck injury that is often caused by a sudden movement of the neck back and forth, usually occurring after car accidents. Symptoms of whiplash may not appear immediately, and can linger for up to 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. It is important to recognize that some people don't experience any symptoms of whiplash for the first few days after a car accident. It is impossible to guess how long it takes for the symptoms of whiplash to appear, since they do not always appear immediately.
Most cases of whiplash will start showing up within the first 24 hours of the car accident, but that's not always the case. Be sure to see a medical professional to definitely find out if you have whiplash. Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours after the incident that caused the whiplash. Sometimes symptoms may appear after a few days.
They can last several weeks. If you have whiplash and don't know it yet, your condition may worsen before seeking treatment. If whiplash lasts longer than six months, it's usually called chronic whiplash and is treated with prescription pain relievers and ongoing physical therapy. You may be able to seek compensation for whiplash if you were injured in a traffic accident that was not your fault. Victims of car accidents often suffer whiplash injuries, but they can also just as easily occur due to physical abuse, riding on attractions at amusement parks, or playing very physical sports, for example.
Because the symptoms of whiplash can take some time to appear, you may feel well for several hours or even several days after the accident before symptoms appear. It is important to seek treatment for whiplash early to rule out or identify the condition and begin recovery as soon as possible. The delayed onset of whiplash pain can be a problem if you didn't cause your accident and plan to file a personal injury claim. If you or someone you know has suffered a whiplash due to someone else's negligence, you should contact the car accident lawyers at Powers & Santola, LLP in Albany. These can be signs of whiplash or other injuries and should always be evaluated, and even if you only have one symptom, you could be suffering from whiplash.
