Can I Get a Concussion from Whiplash?

Car accidents, no matter how severe, can leave victims struggling with serious injuries, but the impacts aren’t strictly physical. For those involved in an accident, it can feel as if the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Between recovering from physical injuries, healing from emotional injuries, and handling the complications related to insurance claims, the effects of a car accident are lasting and taxing. 

When dealing with the frustrations of everyday life on top of a complex auto accident claim, it can be easy to overlook your health. However, victims of car accidents need to prioritize their wellbeing, as seemingly insignificant injuries can have lasting effects.

According to The National Law Review, whiplash and traumatic brain injuries such as concussions are among the most common injuries experienced in car accidents. Most of us know that each of these injuries can happen on their own, but can whiplash give you a concussion? Can victims experience both simultaneously? 

Here, we’ll discuss whiplash, concussions, how they might be related, and what options victims have when it comes to their claims. 

What is Whiplash? 

According to Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a neck injury that occurs due to a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to that of the cracking of a whip. Whiplash most commonly occurs in rear-end car accidents, as the impact of the crash often causes drivers or passengers to jerk forward or backward, causing sudden strain in the neck’s muscles and tendons. The most common symptoms associated with whiplash include:

• Neck or back pain and stiffness
• Loss of range of neck motion
• Headaches
• Tingling and numbness
• Ringing in the ears
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

In addition, some victims experience less common symptoms, including blurry vision, sleep disturbances, memory issues, and emotional disturbances such as irritability or depression. 

Whiplash symptoms are usually delayed, meaning they will not become apparent until days after the car accident. Victims should seek medical treatment immediately following an auto accident, even if they think they are not injured. 

What is a Concussion? 

According to Healthline, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs due to an impact to the head or as a result of a whiplash-type injury that causes rapid back-and-forth movement of the head. Although they are often called “mild” TBIs, concussions are serious injuries that can have lasting consequences. With a concussion, victims may experience signs and symptoms including: 

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Mental confusion or brain fog
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Memory problems such as amnesia
• Ringing in the ears

Concussions affect people in different ways and are not always easy to identify. Anyone involved in a car accident should seek immediate medical attention to ensure there aren’t conditions that go undiagnosed. 

Are Whiplash and Concussions Related? 

If you’ve experienced a car accident, you might be wondering, “can I get a concussion from whiplash?” The answer is yes, it is possible to get a concussion from whiplash; however, not all whiplash victims have a concussion and not all concussion victims have whiplash. 

During whiplash, the head is jerked forward and backward quickly, which can cause the brain to collide with the skull. This violent motion can sometimes result in both whiplash and a concussion. It’s important for all car accident victims to be assessed by a physician following the incident so they can be properly evaluated and treated, if necessary. This is especially important in whiplash and/or concussion victims because those injuries exhibit many of the same symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. 

What are the Effects of Whiplash and Concussions?

Both whiplash and concussions can cause victims to experience pain, suffer long- and short-term physical or mental health effects, or miss out on time at work. Additionally, these injuries can cause mountains of medical bills and lost wages. Although every accident is different, many victims choose to seek the professional guidance of a personal injury attorney to better understand their options as it pertains to their unique situation. 

How Can FVF Law Help?

If you or a family member has experienced a car accident resulting in whiplash, a concussion, or both, FVF Law is here to help you understand your options. We aim to help every client utilize all of the resources available to them to protect their personal interests and their families. 

FVF Law has a wide range of experience in personal injury law, giving us keen insight into cases like those that cause concussions or whiplash. We offer a free, no-pressure consultation that can help educate you on your options and equip you with critical information that you can use to make the best decision for your needs. 

Contact us today to see how FVF Law can assist in your car accident case.