Whiplash and Long-Term Effects

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that over 800,000 whiplash-related injuries are reported each year in the U.S., making it the most common form of personal injury suffered in rear-end auto accidents. Unlike most injuries, whiplash can have delayed symptoms which take weeks or even months to develop after an accident, which is why you should seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible if you may have suffered an injury in the head, neck, or back.

The minimum time frame for recovery from a whiplash injury is about three months, but some patients may suffer from headaches and/or chronic pain for years after the accident; a study by Northwestern University in 2015 found that “while most people should expect to fully recover from whiplash injuries within the first few months, about 25% have long-term pain and disability that lasts many months or years.” It’s also estimated that about 20% of whiplash victims suffer from weakness, pain, and/or restricted movement for up to two years after the accident.

James Elliott of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has also expressed concerns about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from whiplash injuries, as it is often difficult to diagnose. “If you’re a whiplash patient with ongoing chronic pain, but no objective imaging finds anything wrong, people are frequently informed that nothing is wrong with them,” he says. “It appears that they may require a more concerted effort for pain management from their physician and help from a psychologist.”

Common symptoms of a whiplash injury may include headaches, neck pain/stiffness, blurred vision, and dizziness, while symptoms in more serious and long-term cases may include insomnia, irritability, trouble with memory and/or concentration, and chronic pain in the head, neck, or shoulders.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.