Is whiplash pain ever permanent?

There are some 3 million whiplash injuries in the United States each year from motor vehicle accidents alone. If you have suffered damages as a result of a cervical spine injury—whiplash—you may be wondering if the pain you are experiencing as a result could be permanent. The short answer is, yes, the pain could be permanent, although this is rare in whiplash cases. Many whiplash victims will improve substantially within 2-4 weeks, while others experience symptoms for 6-8 weeks. Some studies show that from six months to 15 years after a motor vehicle collision injury, that as many as 30% of the victims of whiplash has permanent pain, making whiplash a very significant phenomenon.

Even if your whiplash injuries seem minor at first, and you are not exhibiting any obvious symptoms, if left untreated or undiagnosed, whiplash injuries can led to chronic pain, and can also make you more susceptible to future back and neck injuries. It is really critical that you receive medical attention immediately following the accident, and return to see your doctor later, if any symptoms do appear.

Getting the Legal Help You Need

If you suffered a whiplash injury in an accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be entitled to recover damages which can include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and property loss for your vehicle. It is crucial that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following your accident, and that you carefully document all medical treatment involved in your injury.