Whiplash can happen from almost any accident, including automobile crashes, slip and fall incidents at workplace injuries. Medically, whiplash is a soft tissue injury which occurs when the head jolts backwards and then forwards suddenly. These extreme motions can push your neck muscles and ligaments beyond their typical range of motion, causing tears.

Whiplash injuries vary in seriousness. Sometimes, the injuries are quite severe, and other times they can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice applied to the neck muscles. If the pain persists, some victims need to attend physical therapy or seek prescription medications. In some drastic situations, surgery may be necessary to mend some of the damage from a violent whiplash injury.

Some people develop chronic pain after a whiplash injury that can last for years, or even for a lifetime. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches at the base of the skull
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Constant ringing in the ears
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability

In some cases, the whiplash can move down and cause tingling in the shoulders and arms. Whiplash doesn't just happen in rear-end auto accidents, though this is the most common occurrence of whiplash. It can also be the result of physical abuse or an unintentional blow to the face. Contact sports can result in whiplash due to speedy movements and aggressive competition.

In most cases, whiplash victims recover from their injury within two to three months. Fewer people may continue to have pain for several months, possible up to two years, after the injury has occurred. In some incidents, the whiplash can cause damage to joints, disks, and ligaments in the neck. If you were injured as a result of a whiplash injury, don't hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney about the possibility of a lawsuit. If you can link the whiplash to a car accident where you weren't at fault, or a slip and fall accident that could have been prevented by the owner of the premises, then contact a local lawyer today to get started in your pursuit for justice.