Many accident victims suffer whiplash injuries, among others, when they are involved in a car accident. According to car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, you should not diminish the possible consequences of a whiplash injury.
A whiplash injury is a hyperextension (over-extension) injury to the neck. A whiplash injury often happens as the result of being struck from behind. Frequently, this is the result of the impact from a vehicle in a car accident. The mechanics of whiplash injury are thought to be as follows: The victim may be first pushed or accelerated forward, pushing the body forward, but the head remains behind momentarily, rocking up and back, and some muscles and ligaments may be stretched or torn. These muscles, in a reflex action, contract to bring the head forward again, to prevent excessive injury. There may be overcompensation when the head is traveling in a forward direction as the vehicle decelerates. This may rock the head violently forward, stretching and tearing more muscles and ligaments. The effect of a whiplash injury is often not felt immediately after the accident. Sometimes a victim will not feel the pain from the injury until the next day or even a few days after the accident. This is unfortunate because the first few hours after the accident are when you can do the most to prevent the swelling and pain from the injury.
Car accident attorney Emery Ledger says that even if you think you did not suffer any injuries in a car accident you should be seen by a medical professionally immediately. Only a doctor can properly diagnose a whiplash injury and provide you with a treatment plan to reduce the pain and future complications that can be associated with a whiplash injury. While most whiplash injuries heel relatively quickly and without long-term complications, it is possible to feel the effects of a whiplash injury for month-or even years- after the accident. If a whiplash injury is sever enough, it can produce damage to your neck that can come back to haunt you years down the road in the form of a herniated disc or other more sever problems.
If you have been in a California car accident, seek the advice of a medical professional as soon after the accident as possible. Follow the advice given to you for treatment of your injuries. Your next step should be to consult with an experienced California car accident attorney. A car accident attorney can explain your legal options and give you an idea of the value of your case. You may think that you were not seriously injured, but your medical bills down the road could be significant. For this reason, you should pursue compensation with the help of a car accident attorney now.
If you would like to make an appointment for a free detailed evaluation of your California car accident case, please contact the car accident law firm of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit their website at www.ledgerlaw.com for more information.
