What Happens If You Leave Whiplash Untreated?

On This Page

1. Symptoms of Untreated Whiplash
2. Diagnosing and Treating Whiplash
3. Causes of Whiplash Injuries
4. You Have a Limited Time to Sue for Your Whiplash-Related Damages
5. Get in Touch With our Firm Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Worsened or even permanent issues can happen if you leave whiplash untreated. A whiplash injury happens when your neck suddenly jerks around, causing trauma, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

This can cause damage to your muscles, nerves, tendons, bones, and more. If you do not receive prompt treatment, your pain and injuries can worsen or even lead to permanent disabilities.

Symptoms of Untreated Whiplash

A few examples of ongoing symptoms that you may experience if your whiplash injury goes untreated include:

• Chronic pain affecting the head, neck, back, arm, and shoulder
• Ongoing headaches
• Poor concentration
• Trouble sleeping
• Hypersensitivity to temperature
• Limited range of motion for your neck and shoulders
• Burning, tingling, or prickling sensations down your arms and into your hands
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Depression and anxiety
• Lack of balance or coordination
• Muscle spasms

If you experience these symptoms following an accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. Whiplash injuries can heal within a few weeks if you receive prompt treatment and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Benefits of Medical Treatment

It is essential to see a doctor if you feel your symptoms worsen or spread to other areas of your body. If you have numbness or weakness in any part of your body, see a doctor immediately.

This will help you feel better and prevent the injuries from getting worse. You will also start creating a record of how the accident has impacted your life. This will be necessary if you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused your whiplash.

Diagnosing and Treating Whiplash

If you see a doctor for a potential whiplash injury, they will examine your head, neck, and shoulder region. They will also ask you what kinds of symptoms you are experiencing and when you began noticing the pain.

In some situations, the healthcare worker treating you may also order an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to get a deeper look at what is happening in your body.

When speaking with a doctor or other healthcare professional about your injury, be honest, and tell them as much as you can about what happened and the symptoms that you are experiencing.

Common Treatment for Whiplash

If they diagnose you with whiplash, many different treatments may be available to you. One of the most common treatments is a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory drug to control your pain and reduce swelling. You may also require a muscle relaxant to reduce any spasming.

If your injury is severe, the doctor may also prescribe you a neck brace or other support device to keep your neck immobilized while the muscles, ligaments, and other injured components heal.

Some other treatment options that you may be able to consider include:

• Chiropractic treatment
• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Electronic nerve stimulation

Some of these treatments may be reimbursable through your medical insurance. You may be able to pursue compensation from the person who caused your whiplash injury in a personal injury lawsuit.

If you still experience pain and symptoms well after the injury happened, you may have suffered a more complex injury such as a traumatic brain injury, fractured vertebrae, or torn ligament. These conditions can also be treated or managed through prompt medical attention.

Causes of Whiplash Injuries

Some patients experiencing the symptoms listed above may not even know if they have experienced a whiplash injury.

You can suffer whiplash in many different ways. The most common example is a car accident. When another vehicle slams into the side of your car, the force of the impact can cause your neck and head to move in a very quick, jerking motion, leading to damage.

Here are a few other ways that you may find yourself suffering from a whiplash accident:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Physical abuse
• Sports activities
• Exercise
• Bicycling accidents
• Horseback riding

You Have a Limited Time to Sue for Your Whiplash-Related Damages

A whiplash injury can lead to medical bills, missed work, and other major expenses. If you require ongoing medical care, things can get expensive quickly.

One way to get the financial support you are entitled to is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the people who caused your whiplash injury. You generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury case, according to Pa. C.S.A. §5524, so take action now.

Get in Touch With our Firm Today

To learn more about bringing a case and what happens if you leave whiplash untreated, contact Berger and Green today. We offer a free and confidential consultation to get the information you need about legal rights and options. A Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you.

There is no risk in speaking with us, so dial (412) 661-1400 today for your free consultation.