Auto collisions cause MVA whiplash injury, also called cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) injury. This injury can involve crushing damage to the vertebrae, such as fracture or chips, however it usually refers to injuries to the intervertebral discs and the soft tissues of the neck. The soft tissues are the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the head up. Whiplash or cervical acceleration-deceleration injury causes damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. What are the risk factors for serious whiplash injury in an automobile accident?
First, its helpful to understand the mechanism of injury in whiplash. The muscles of the neck sense sudden change in forces and they quickly compensate. Small fibers in the muscles indicate the need for more muscle strength to hold against the sudden movement in position. As a result, muscle spasm, inflammation and stiffness manifest.
Of the three million people experiencing whiplash injuries, only about one-half will fully recover early. About 600,000 of those individuals will have long-term symptoms, and 150,000 will have some permanent injury. Source eorthopod.com.
There are many factors that come into play when a person is injured in a rear-end motor vehicle accident. Any one or more of the following factors can affect the severity of the whiplash injury:
Head turned one way or the other at the time of the impact (increases risk of nerve
involvement with pain down the arm)
Getting hit from behind (rear-impact collision)
Previous neck pain or headaches
Previous similar injury
Being unaware of the impending impact
Poor posture at the time of impact (head, neck, or chest bent forward)
Poor position of the headrest or no headrest
Crash speed under 10 mph
Being in the front seat as opposed to sitting in the back seat of the car
Collision with a vehicle larger than yours
Being of slight build
Wearing a seatbelt (a seat belt should always be worn as it protects against catastrophic injury at higher speeds; but at lower speeds, a lap and shoulder type seat belt will increase the chances of whiplash injury)
McCormick Law Office attorneys get the best results in Milwaukee, Wisconsin whiplash cases when the facts of the accident including point of impact, body movement and mechanism of injury support the diagnosis. In addition, the medical documentation should be consistent in terms of subjective symptoms and objective findings. If appropriate, we obtain expert medical opinions and possibly expert accident reconstruction advice, although this is a cost – benefit choice that the client and counsel must make together. All of this work is geared toward a successful recovery for medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering caused by MVA whiplash.
