Our Experienced FL Personal Injury Attorney Explains the 4 Grades of Whiplash and Obtaining Compensation After an Accident
If you are in a Florida car accident and suffer pain around your neck, it’s possible the accident may have caused whiplash. Depending on the severity of your injury and the type of treatment you receive, your whiplash may last a few days or a few months, or it may become chronic. 
You are likely facing mounting medical bills, especially if your whiplash injuries are more severe and long-lasting. At Spetsas Buist, our skilled car accident attorneys have the experience needed to help you seek reasonable compensation for your injury. Here, they discuss whiplash symptoms, how long they can last, and obtaining a fair settlement.
Understanding Whiplash Due to a Florida Auto Accident
Whiplash is a kind of neck strain that occurs when someone’s head “whips” back and forth in a violent manner. The force of this motion can cause the muscles and tendons in the neck to stretch or tear.
Whiplash Symptoms
Several symptoms may indicate you have sustained whiplash, including the following:
- Neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness
- Headaches
- Pain that radiates to the shoulders, upper back, or arms
- Muscle spasms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Sleep disturbances
Whiplash Classifications
There are several levels (or grades) of whiplash, indicating the severity of your injury. These grades range from mild to severe and reflect the seriousness of the symptoms and the extent of the underlying tissue damage. Understanding these grades is critical to being diagnosed properly:
- Grade 1. The whiplash manifests as pain only. You may feel pain or stiffness in your neck but your doctor finds no physical signs of injury. This grade is considered mild, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, your doctor may need to reassess the injury.
- Grade 2. Patients exhibit pain and signs of injury, which may include limited range of motion of the neck. You may also experience muscle spasms, tenderness, and headaches.
- Grade 3. This grade is considered severe, and patients may experience signs of neurological problems. Symptoms can include radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness due to nerve damage or compression.
- Grade 4. Considered chronic whiplash, patients with grade 4 whiplash may have persistent symptoms that often last over six months. They may suffer from fatigue, psychological distress, and cognitive difficulties.
How Long Whiplash Symptoms Can Last
Many cases of whiplash, when treated promptly, resolve within a few weeks to a few months. Some patients may experience lingering effects for over a year, especially if they have preexisting neck problems or have suffered whiplash before.
- Grade 1. Grade 1 injuries typically heal in days to weeks.
- Grade 2. Grade 2 injuries typically take several weeks to heal.
- Grade 3. Grade 3 injuries can take up to 6 months to heal.
- Grade 4. Grade 4 whiplash may take up to a year or more to heal.
Chronic Whiplash
Whiplash that lasts longer than about six months is considered chronic. While less severe cases are often treated with over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications, chronic whiplash may require prescription pain medication and physical therapy.
Even if your case is severe, your doctor will likely recommend you keep your neck mobile rather than encased in a brace, as this can facilitate faster recovery. There are steps you can take to prevent lingering problems from whiplash, including the following:
- Adjusting vehicle headrests to the proper height
- Practicing neck-strengthening exercises to build strength, maintain flexibility, and reduce your susceptibility to future whiplash injuries
Possible Compensation for Whiplash After a Florida Car Accident
If you’re coping with whiplash caused by a Florida car accident, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. You can negotiate with insurance companies on your own, but an experienced car accident attorney can help increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
The amount of compensation you may receive depends on the type of accident, the severity of your injuries, and its impact on your life. Types of damages for which you can seek compensation include the following:
- Economic damages, including medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage
- Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life
Our Florida personal injury attorneys can calculate the full cost of the damages you have suffered and explain how much your case might be worth.
