Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the neck moves back and forth in a very quick fashion with great force. Whiplash is when the soft tissues in the neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. This extension results in damage and neck pain

 

Many times, this neck pain is mild to moderate. This means that it can usually be addressed with over the counter medications. But sometimes, the pain is too great to bear, and the injured person must seek out professional help. Medical attention is crucial at this point to avoid possible long-term damage and chronic pain. 

 

Whiplash can commonly occur as the result of a car accident. Many injuries from rear-ended accidents include whiplash. This specific type of injury can also occur from the following:

 

  • roller coasters and amusement park rides

  • physical abuse

  • sports injuries

 

Everyone is different–and that includes accident scenarios, whether first aid was administered, and any pre-existing conditions. That is why this blog does not serve as medical advice, but only for informational purposes. 

 

Let’s break down some reasons why someone might want professional medical attention from a doctor in the case of a whiplash injury. 

Look Out for These Symptoms 

Following an accident, the victim should always seek out medical attention, whether that includes on-site first aid or treatment at a doctor’s office or hospital. When you seek treatment, the medical professional ask about or observe these following symptoms

 

  • Neck stiffness

  • Dizziness

  • Headaches at the base of the skull

  • Blurred vision

  • Tiredness or fatigue 

  • Muscle spasms

  • Neck pain that worsens with movement 

 

Based upon close observations and discussions, the doctor will determine the best course of treatment for you and your specific situation. Sometimes, there could be more serious symptoms present. 

 

More serious symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These include: 

 

  • Pain spreading from neck to arms 

  • Painful head movement 

  • Numbness or weakness in arms or legs 

  • Severe neck pain

 

A whiplash injury can include a multitude of symptoms. Some of these symptoms can seem completely unrelated to the initial injury, especially if they occur in the leg or arm. This is why it’s always beneficial to be seen by an experienced medical professional following a car accident. 

A Professional Can Rule Out Other Issues 

After a car accident, some injuries are quite apparent while others remain hidden. This is why it’s important to get checked out by a professional. They can rule out other issues like nerve damage or fractures. These two conditions can prove to be more serious than whiplash and may require different treatment. 

 

If you experience numbing or tingling, this could indicate a severe issue that would go beyond the scope of whiplash. While you might assume that you’ve sustained a whiplash injury in your car accident, it could be something else entirely. 

 

Only a trained medical professional would be able to determine, through a series of observations and tests, whether you have whiplash or not. 

You Want to Avoid Long-Term Damage 

Failing to treat or diagnose injuries within a certain amount of time could possibly result in long-term damage. This damage could include physical injury, but it could also result in depression, loss of enjoyment of life, or chronic pain. 

 

A medical professional is specifically trained to observe, treat, and diagnose illnesses and injuries. They enjoy a wealth of knowledge geared toward your health and recovery. Whiplash could include damage to the following areas: 

 

  • joints

  • disks

  • ligaments

 

Because this type of injury spans several different parts of the body and components, it’s important to get it diagnosed properly. If there is a lack of diagnosis or a misdiagnosis, this could result in further complications. 

 

Generally, the doctor will observe you, ask you questions regarding the injury or your pain level, evaluate your range of motion and monitor your strength. 

 

There could sometimes be complications with whiplash injuries. Some victims experience pain or headaches years after the accident. But while it’s always good to be aware of long term issues, many whiplash injuries resolve within a matter of days or weeks. 

Physical Therapy 

 

Beyond taking over the counter medications for whiplash pain, a doctor might recommend physical therapy as a treatment. It can be a vital part to an accident victim’s recovery. A physical therapist is a trained expert who will assist you in a series of gentle exercises to rebuild strength following an injury. 

 

Undergoing physical therapy could actually prevent injuries from worsening, long term damage, and help facilitate the recovery process. Furthermore, it might also prevent victims from having to have surgery. 

 

Depending upon your injury, physical therapy treatments could span anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. The goal of physical therapy is to focus on muscle strength and recovery. 

Recommended Treatments

 

 

After a whiplash diagnosis following comprehensive medical evaluation, your doctor may prescribe some things you can do to help with recovery and pain management. These treatments can include: 

 

  • Icing the site

  • Applying heat

  • Treat pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen

  • Treating spasms with muscle relaxants 

  • Wearing a cervical collar

  • Lying down with a small pillow underneath the neck to relieve pressure  

 

This is just a small list of possible treatments. It’s always best to check with your primary care provider on which would be best for you. Everyone’s case is different, so you might benefit from personalized care. 

The Takeaway on Whiplash Injury 

Whiplash can range from a mild neck pain to seriously damaging long-term effects. Every car accident is different, and everyone’s body and physical health is different as well. This is why it’s always good to seek medical attention after an accident. 

 

Sometimes the symptoms can be immediate or they could have a delayed onset. No matter the time frame, it’s crucial to get medical attention so that you can be aware of possible effects. A doctor is qualified to determine whether you might experience long-term or chronic pain from this type of injury. They can also rule out other types of conditions, as well. 

 

In addition to ruling out issues, they can recommend further tests like MRIs and other treatments like physical therapy. 

 

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you are not alone in filing a personal injury claim. In order to maximize your compensation and restore your wellbeing, you should have an experienced professional by your side. 

 

It’s important to seek immediate medical care following a car accident so that you can start documenting any possible injuries. Furthermore, it’s also crucial to start documenting evidence of timely medical care. If insurance companies see a gap between the time of the accident and medical care, they could argue that you are not injured at all. 

 

Even if the injury seems mild, it’s always best to be cautious and seek professional care. Therefore, you should get checked out by a professional who can give you advice, monitor your symptoms, document your injury, and provide the necessary treatments. 

 

No matter where your personal injury case goes–from settlement, to mediation, to trial–you deserve peace of mind. You don’t need to be worrying about how to negotiate with insurance companies while trying to make crucial physical therapy appointments. 

 

At Castan & Lecca, we pride ourselves on our accessibility, trustworthiness, and experience. Those three things are what make all the difference in personal injury law. If you want a free consultation of your case, contact us today. With Castan & Lecca, you’ll get exceptional attorneys and superior results. 

(864)761-4141

Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
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KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
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ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.