Whiplash is an injury to the neck, but it also affects other parts of the body and neurological system. Whiplash is generally seen in car accident victims. It is caused by sudden extension and/or flexion of the neck. In addition to neck pain from a strain or sprain, whiplash may also cause injury to the back (intervertebral joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves and discs), stiffness in the neck, myofascial injuries and somatic, cognitive and psychological issues such as memory loss, nervousness, memory loss, problems sleeping and depression.
Treatment of a whiplash injury often includes physical therapy, traction and pain medications. It can take as little as a few days up to weeks for neck pain to dissipate. Neck pain may not completely clear up for some people, though in most cases, the whiplash injury is cleared within three months.
However, during recovery victims may miss work due to pain or medical appointments. Also, medical care isn’t free. Whiplash has great potential to be a very costly injury.
Emery Brett Ledger brings more than 27 years of experience to personal injury law. He founded & led The Ledger Law Firm in securing over $100 million in compensation for clients with life-altering injuries & complex claims. Licensed in California, Texas, & Washington, Emery earned his law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. His practice areas include car & truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, maritime claims, & mass tort litigation. He has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100, Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Top 25, and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys. Emery also received the 2025 Elite Lawyer Award & holds a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating with Platinum Client Champion status. His legal work has been featured on CNN, Forbes, NBC, & ABC.
