Individuals in Ontario who are in car crashes may suffer from whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head snaps back and forth on the neck and may commonly occur in a rear-end collision. While it is usually not a serious injury, whiplash causes pain and some immobility in many cases. However, the condition has the potential to be very serious, and around 3 to 5 per cent of individuals with whiplash spend a year or more on disability.
However, whiplash usually heals in a few weeks or a few months. Although treatments like pain killers, massages and hot or cold packs may provide some initial relief, these are not recommended over the long term. The best treatment for whiplash is usually neck exercises and relief from stress. Injured individuals are encouraged to return to their normal activities as soon as possible.
Whiplash in car accidents is also preventable by as much as 24 to 44 per cent by using a head restraint properly. What many people think of as the headrest in a vehicle is actually a safety feature just like seat belts. The head restraint should be adjusted so that it is no less than 5 centimetres from the head and is even with the top of the head or the ears.
Even with proper use of head restraints, individuals may still suffer whiplash and other types of injuries when they are involved in car accidents. These injuries might result in high medical bills and lost income from missed work, but if individuals can show that the negligence of another person caused the accident, they may choose to file a lawsuit for compensation. A lawyer could help an injured victim to determine if a personal injury lawsuit may be successful.
