Factors affecting whiplash severity and recovery

Thousands of people sustain Whiplash-Associated Disorders each year, many of whom have been involved in rear-end car accidents. However, not all have the same severity of neck injury and may have different symptoms and recovery times, even people that were in the same car when the accident happened. Read more about what a Whiplash-Associated Disorder is.

Factors affecting the severity of a whiplash injury
There are a range of factors that determine the severity of the neck injury which should be considered. The first of these is the speed of the collision.

Car accidents that occur at low speeds and result in Whiplash-Associated Disorders are often simple neck sprains as the forces involved are relatively low, although still strong enough to cause pain. Crashes that take place at higher speeds will often result in more serious sprains, whilst those at very high speeds can cause damage to the vertebrae and other structures in the neck. Read more about causes of whiplash.

The position at the time of impact is also an important determiner as to the severity of the whiplash injury sustained. A person who is sitting upright and looking straight ahead is likely to sustain significantly less severe neck damage than someone with poor posture who is looking to the side.

Pre-existing neck injuries can also play a part in determining whether a person who has been involved in a car accident will go on to suffer from whiplash-type symptoms. If the muscles or structures in the neck are already weakened, the chance of developing a more severe whiplash injury is greatly increased.

Factors affecting the recovery from a whiplash injury
Most people recover from Whiplash-Associated Disorders within 3 months, with the average person taking 39 days off work while recuperating. However, some can take much longer and around 2% are left with permanent pain and discomfort. Read more about recovering from whiplash.

There are certain symptoms that when reported early, can indicate that recovery times may be extended. For example, those who report arm pain following a whiplash-type injury are more likely to have a longer recovery time than average. This is because pain in the arms tends to suggest that there may be damage to nerves, which can take longer to heal than strained muscles.

Other symptoms that can indicate a longer recovery time include severe pain, a high number of different symptoms and restricted motion in the neck.

A study based in America has found that psychological factors may have a part to play in the length of time it takes to recover from Whiplash-Associated Disorders. Those who reported symptoms of greater psychological distress, such as nervousness, were more likely to have a longer recovery time than those who reported little distress. Psychological symptoms have also been linked with Late Whiplash Syndrome. Read more about Late Whiplash Syndrome.

Studies have found that people who suffer from their whiplash-type injury for more than six months have a poor prognosis. Around 40% of these people are likely to have long-term discomfort.

Although collars have been a popular way of treating people with Whiplash-Associated Disorders in the past, they have come under some scrutiny and studies have found that use for more than a couple of days can actually extend recovery times. However, please note that it is important to follow any medical advice that you are given about your injury. Read more about whiplash treatment.

Getting compensation for your whiplash injury
If you have sustained a Whiplash-Associated Disorder and you believe the accident was not your fault, we may be able to help you. Our personal injury solicitors have years of experience in whiplash injury claims and have an excellent success rate as a result of their skill and dedication.

They work on a no win, no fee basis so you will not have to pay their fees if your claim is not successful. You will also be protected from all legal costs. If your whiplash injury claim is successful, all costs and fees will be paid by your opponent. This means that no matter what the outcome of your claim, you will not have to pay a penny.

If you are interested in claiming compensation for a whiplash injury, please telephone 0800 10 757 95 for free legal advice.