Neck and Back Whiplash Injury

Long before automobiles, people traveled by train. The first passenger railroad in the U.S. began construction in 1828 and five years later, the country saw its first train accident. As train travel proliferated, train wrecks became “a surprisingly frequent form of disaster” according to historians. “The single worst type, was the rear-end collision”, which left many victims with a peculiar constellation of symptoms such as back pain, arm pain, headaches, hearing problems, and anxiety known colloquially as “railway spine”. Flash forward to the future to the age of automobiles and the same condition is often referred to as neck and back whiplash injury, often resulting from a rear end car accident.

‘Whiplash’ injuries can range from a muscle sprain to spinal cord contusions to a fractured vertebrae. Soft tissue injuries including muscles tears, sprains, nerve damage or deep muscle bruising do not show up with diagnostic tools such as x-rays or MRI’s the same way traumatic injuries like bone fractures do, but that does not make them any less painful or life altering to the victim of a car accident. All injuries can have a significant impact and can manifest in different ways.

Following an accident, even if it is initially just minor discomfort or pain you are feeling, seek medical attention immediately. Remember that soft tissue injuries sometimes do not become symptomatic right away, so you may feel okay following an accident only to develop symptoms hours or days later, which should also prompt a trip to the doctor.

If you are making a claim with the offending driver’s insurance company, it is very important to document all the expenses you incur for treatment and rehabilitation, including medical expenses, travel expenses to and from a medical facility, lost wages for missed work, prescription costs and copays. If an insurance adjuster is unwilling to pay your claim, you may want to file a personal injury lawsuit to facilitate the collection of your economic damages as well as pain and suffering.

Are You Suffering From Neck and Back Whiplash Injury?
Contact a Des Moines Car Accident Attorney For Help

If you have been injured in an Iowa car accident and are suffering from neck and back whiplash injury, it is advisable to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case first. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the process so that you receive a fair settlement to compensate you for medical treatment of your injury or pursue a legal suit if an insurer is not meeting their end of the bargain. Contact the Des Moines personal injury law offices of John T. Hemminger at 515-283-2116 for assistance today.