Nobody wants to find themselves involved in a car accident, let alone injured by one. An unfortunate truth of the road, though, is that accidents happen, as do injuries. Recognizing the signs of injury after a car accident can spur you to get the treatment you need, but you don’t want to accidentally misdiagnose yourself. This can lead you to not seek out the medical attention your body might need.
Whiplash and herniated discs are among the most common injuries stemming from a car accident, but they are often erroneously mixed up. Learn to differentiate between the two so that you can seek the proper medical treatment.
What Is Whiplash?
First and foremost, whiplash is an injury that comes from a sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck. Sudden stops and rear-end collisions, in particular, are common causes of this issue. The most common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain
- General stiffnessÂ
- Intense headachesÂ
- DizzinessÂ
- General fatigueÂ
It is possible to self-diagnose whiplash, but any injury involving the neck should be properly diagnosed by a medical professional. Physical exams and imaging tests can tell a doctor if your neck has been put through stress to the point that whiplash was caused.
In most cases, the solution for whiplash is over-the-counter pain medication, self-care, rest, and, in extreme cases, physical therapy. It will resolve itself in most individuals with time.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
On the other side of things, herniated discs are arguably a far more serious injury that stems from car accidents. Your spine is made up of a number of “discs” essentially stacked on top of each other and connected throughout the spine. When the soft center of a spinal disc forcefully pushes through its outer layer, it’s known as a herniated disc.
The impact force from an accident, twisting movements (typically rapid), and degenerative conditions are predominantly to blame for this injury. The symptoms include:
- Radiating pain stemming from your back
- Numbness in or around your backÂ
- An odd tingling sensationÂ
- General muscle weakness that you did not have before the accidentÂ
Diagnosing a herniated disc can only be done properly through an MRI, CT scan, or nerve tests. A herniated disc will also heal itself, but it will likely take far longer, with a couple of months off of strenuous activity being the general recommended guideline. Pain medications or steroid injections are sometimes used to ease the pain and symptoms.
Key Differences Between Whiplash and Herniated Discs
Naturally, given the above, there are quite a few differences between whiplash and herniated discs. There are three areas in particular where these injuries differ the most, though:
- Cause of Injury: Whiplash results from rapid movement, while herniated discs stem from direct force or compression.
- Symptoms Comparison: Whiplash primarily affects soft tissues in the neck typically, while herniated discs impact nerves and spine function.
- Recovery Timeline: Whiplash often resolves in a few weeks to a month, but herniated discs may require long-term treatment or surgery.
Both types of injuries are serious in their own right, but they are unique and come with different symptoms. In some cases, you may even experience both whiplash and a herniated disc at the same time, so the treatment and recovery periods might overlap. If you are unsure of which you are suffering from, it’s best to get a formal medical diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Both Injuries
The treatment options for both whiplash and herniated discs, despite their differences, are quite similar as both resolve themselves. Rest, physical therapy, and pain management medications are the most common solutions advised for both. In severe cases, neck braces or other similar setting devices may be used to help with whiplash, whereas severe cases of herniated discs will see epidural injections or surgery. It will be up to your doctor to determine your treatment path based upon the symptoms you experience and their impact on your daily life.
For both legal claims and your general recovery, it’s always advised to follow the treatment plan outlined by your doctor to the letter. Not doing so can result in a longer healing timeline. Additionally, as alluded to, if you fail to seek out medical treatment then your grounds for a legal claim may be forfeit. This is because injuries may get worse without that treatment, but at that point, it was a conscious decision not to seek advised treatment, so you cannot hold another person liable for the degradation of those injuries.
Legal Considerations for Accident Victims
As mentioned, being involved in a car accident is an extremely troubling experience. This situation is only made worse when the negligence of another driver, such as running a red light because they were on their phone, results in a collision. Whiplash and herniated disc injuries can come with long-term pain management costs that add up over time.
With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can build an effective legal case against the driver who caused those injuries if negligence was involved. This can help by giving you a shot at recouping some of those costs in the form of compensation from the other driver. There’s never a guarantee in law, but a personal injury attorney can at least help guide you towards which damages to file for.
Seek out treatment for your long-term injuries
While whiplash typically occurs in the neck and comes with dull to sharp pain that resolves within a few weeks, herniated discs come with movement impairment, numbing, and other issues that can take months to resolve. Regardless of which you’re living with after an accident, seek out the help of an attorney who can assist you with building an effective legal case. By protecting your rights and seeking compensation after a crash, you can set a precedent so that others can do the same if injured due to negligence in a car accident.
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