The most common type of car accident is the dreaded rear-end collision. The fender bender. Chances are you’ve been involved in one or several in your driving experience and if you have, you may know a few things about whiplash. Whiplash is the most commonly reported injury from car accidents each year. Muscles and ligaments in your neck are extended beyond their normal range, and then whipped back, tearing soft tissue. In many cases the symptoms of whiplash don’t show for hours or even days after the accident, making it harder to connect the incident to the injury, and sometimes making insurance companies skeptical.

Here’s what to look out for if you think you may have whiplash:

• Headache
• Ringing in ears
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Blurry vision
• Concentration problems

When to see your doctor

You should see your doctor immediately after any car accident or physical trauma, even if symptoms are not immediately present. Keeping in mind that whiplash may take up to 24 hours before symptoms start to show. Having documentation from a doctor will also be beneficial in the event that you seek legal action based on the injury. Although most cases of whiplash will subside after a few weeks and can be treated safely at home using over-the-counter pain relievers (see our previous article about pain relievers), follow up with your doctor if pain begins to spread or if numbness or weakness develops in your arms. In more advanced cases of whiplash, physical therapy may be required. When it comes to accident-related injuries like whiplash, our team at OSC has the knowledge and resources to get you up and running, injury-free again. Come see us as soon as possible and get started on the road to recovery!