What Are the Common Symptoms of Whiplash?

It might have been a minor rear-end collision at a stoplight in Tacoma, but in the days following the crash, you’ve started to notice a deep, nagging ache in your neck. You’re having trouble turning your head, and a persistent headache has settled in. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing the classic signs of whiplash.

Whiplash is the most common injury reported in auto insurance claims, but it’s also one of the most frequently underestimated. It is a soft-tissue injury to the neck, caused by the rapid, whip-like back-and-forth motion of the head during a collision. This violent movement can stretch or tear the muscles and ligaments in your neck and upper back.

Because whiplash is an injury you can’t see on an X-ray and its symptoms can take hours or even days to fully appear, many people dismiss it as simple soreness. But ignoring the signs can lead to chronic pain and long-term complications. Recognizing the common symptoms is the first step to getting the diagnosis and treatment you need.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• It’s a Neck Injury: Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury to the neck and shoulders caused by the sudden jarring motion of a car accident.
• Symptoms are Often Delayed: You may feel fine at the scene of the crash, with the most significant pain and stiffness developing 24 to 48 hours later.
• Most Common Symptoms: The hallmark signs are neck pain and stiffness, loss of range of motion in the neck, and persistent headaches, often starting at the base of the skull.
• Less Obvious Symptoms Can Occur: Whiplash can also cause dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and even cognitive issues like memory problems or difficulty concentrating.
• A Medical Diagnosis is Essential: You must see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. This is crucial for both your health and for your personal injury claim.

The Hallmark Symptoms of Whiplash

These are the most common and recognizable signs that you may have sustained a whiplash injury. They typically appear within a few days of the accident.

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: This is the primary symptom. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. The stiffness can make it difficult to turn your head from side to side or look up and down.
• Loss of Range of Motion: You may find that you can no longer turn your head as far as you could before the accident.
• Headaches: Whiplash-associated headaches are very common and typically start at the base of the skull and radiate toward the forehead.
• Pain in the Shoulders, Upper Back, or Arms: The injury to the neck muscles can radiate, causing pain and tenderness in the surrounding areas. You might also experience numbness or tingling in your arms.

The Less Obvious (But Still Serious) Symptoms

The impact of whiplash isn’t always confined to physical pain. The jarring of the head and neck can also affect the brain and nervous system, leading to a range of other symptoms that you might not immediately connect to the accident.

• Fatigue and Dizziness: Feeling unusually tired or experiencing vertigo (a spinning sensation) is common.
• Cognitive Issues: Sometimes referred to as “brain fog,” this can include:
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Irritability
• Blurred Vision or Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus): These symptoms can also be related to the neck injury or a mild concussion that occurred at the same time.
• Sleep Disturbances: Pain and discomfort can make it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, leading to insomnia.

Why You Must See a Doctor

Because the symptoms of whiplash are so similar to those of more serious conditions, like a herniated disc or a traumatic brain injury, you must never self-diagnose. Only a qualified medical professional can perform a thorough examination, rule out more severe injuries, and provide a formal diagnosis.

This medical diagnosis is the single most important piece of evidence in your personal injury claim. It creates the official link between the car accident and your injuries. Without it, an insurance company will almost certainly dispute your claim and argue that your pain is unrelated to the crash.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after a car accident in the Tacoma area, your first priority is to seek a medical evaluation. Once your health is addressed, you may need help navigating the claims process. Search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma to find and compare trusted local attorneys who can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

References

• The Mayo Clinic – “Whiplash”:An authoritative medical resource providing a comprehensive overview of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of whiplash.

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-20353226

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) – “Whiplash”:A division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) providing official, in-depth information on whiplash and its prognosis.

  https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/whiplash