After a car accident, the first thing that most people do is look for any signs of injury to themselves and others in their vehicle. Even if a person does not see any injuries or feel pain from the accident, it is still a good idea to go to a hospital or other medical care facility and receive a full-body examination.
Why seek medical care if you don’t feel injured? Car accidents are often much more violent experiences than we realize in the moment, and our bodies may suffer internal injuries that don’t cause pain at first. In some cases, these injuries are serious, and a victim may experience ongoing pain and other complications without timely diagnosis and treatment.
If you recently experienced a car accident and have not yet received a medical examination, don’t wait any longer. You may have serious injuries that require treatment, and waiting to receive care can complicate a personal injury claim, if you need to file one later on.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a common name for soft-tissue damage, which occurs when muscles suffer trauma suddenly. In many cases, a victim may have a car accident and feel just fine for a while, only to find themselves in terrible, paralyzing pain after a few hours or after sleeping.
While whiplash is a temporary injury, it may not heal quickly. Each person heals at their own pace, and those who heal slowly may suffer for some time, even with proper treatment. A victim of whiplash may be unable to move some or all of their body for days or even weeks, and may need help performing basic tasks as a part of daily life.
If a victim is employed, they may not be able to perform their job. This not only threatens their income, but may also threaten their employment altogether. Many employers may not hold a position open for an employee who simply cannot come to work.
Protect your rights and your recovery
Victims of whiplash face challenges just like any other person injured in a car accident, and should take their injury seriously. Whiplash can make nearly every part of daily life painful and difficult, and may last for weeks or more than a month in severe cases.
As you work toward recovery, you may need to file a personal injury claim, if the injury occurred because of someone else’s actions. A strong claim takes time and attention to build, so be sure to use all the legal resources and guidance you have available to craft a strong claim that protects your rights in Florida and seeks full, fair compensation.