The Long-Term Sting of Whiplash
The effects of whiplash can linger long after a vehicle crash.

September 15, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Imagine you are on your way to work and stopped at a light. You are intently listening to the radio when you are hit from behind. Your head, neck and shoulders are violently thrown towards the steering wheel, then whipped back into your seat. Fortunately, you had your seatbelt on so you did not go flying into the dashboard, but your neck is definitely sore.

What you are now suffering from is a common motor vehicle accident injury known as whiplash. It can affect the head, neck and shoulders if a car stops suddenly and shortly, effectively "whipping" those areas of the body violently forward and back. Fortunately, most people recover from whiplash in a matter of days or weeks. For some, however, the effects of whiplash are prolonged and may lead to serious side effects.

More than 80 percent of people that suffer from whiplash heal within two years. For the remaining 18 percent, the repercussions of whiplash linger for longer, sometimes much longer. People who suffer from long-term impacts of whiplash may experience trouble sleeping, poor focus or memory, vision issues, and chronic pain in the head, neck and shoulders. Individuals who already suffer from neck and shoulder pain are at greater risk of developing lingering pain from whiplash. In severe cases, whiplash can cause joint dysfunction, which can restrict someone's range of motion, as well as serious cognitive issues, which may lead to social problems.

There are several things one can do to lessen the impact of a whiplash injury. First, always drive and ride in the car with good posture, with the back straight and feet on the floor. People who are slumped at the time of an accident experience worse whiplash due to their position in the seat. It is also good to keep in shape, because a fit body heals more quickly than an out of shape one. Lastly, pay attention to the road. Drivers tend to suffer less from whiplash because they can often sense the inevitability of an accident just before it occurs, which makes the body automatically prepare itself for impact.

Whiplash and motor vehicle accidents often go hand in hand, but the impacts of whiplash can linger long after claims are filed and vehicles are repaired. If you or a loved one have been injured by whiplash in a motor vehicle accident, it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experience personal injury attorney.

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