Delaware County Smithfield Whiplash Lawyer

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Delaware County Smithfield Whiplash Lawyer

Despite the fact that the human frame is made of bone, people remain vulnerable to the dangers of the world around them. This is especially apparent in the modern era where society travels at high speeds in large metal vehicles. In the context of the automotive world, a human being is especially susceptible to injury. One type of injury that happens quite often in car accidents is whiplash. This is due to the physiological structure of the human body. A person´s head weighs approximately 10 - 15 pounds, and rests upon the most flexible and least reinforced part of the spine, the neck. In your neck there are 32 joints, coupled with various muscles and ligaments, and each can easily be injured where too much force is applied in any one direction. When this occurs, the muscles may be stretched beyond their limitations. If they are stretched too far, it may be difficult for them to return to their original length and configuration. The results mirror what happens when you stretch a rubber band too far, and it no longer is able to retain its original shape.

In stark contrast to the fragility of the human body, the automobiles themselves are designed to better withstand the force of impact. The way that manufacturers design vehicles today, a car is better able to absorb the impact of an accident, and minimize the energy transfer that can occur. Despite this, the force exerted during an accident is equivalent to 2,000 pounds, and because a fair amount of this force is transferred to the neck, the passenger of the vehicle is susceptible to getting whiplash. The reason for this is that the head is too heavy for the neck to support or control during sudden forceful movements in any direction. It is this sudden movement of the head, backwards, forwards or sideways, that causes whiplash.

The medical terminology for whiplash is cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) trauma or syndrome, which describes the rapid movements that can injure the vertebrae of the neck and the muscles and ligaments that support them. Extreme tension builds up when the muscles are stretched beyond their normal limitations. As a result of this tension, the muscle will “snap” or “whip” back violently in attempt to return to its original position. While the muscles are whipped back into place, soft discs between the spinal bones can stretch or tear, and vertebrae can be forced out of their normal alignment. When the vertebrae are out of place, the neck’s range of motion is severely limited. The end result of this sudden movement can be injury to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and the joints within the neck.

There are various symptoms that can accompany whiplash. Generally speaking, a person may experience headaches, dizziness, pain in the shoulders, arms and hands, reduced ability to turn and bend, and lower back problems. In more extreme cases, bruising of the brain can also occur, leaving some victims with blurred vision, ringing in the ears, nausea and numbness.

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident and have experienced whiplash as a result, call The Law Offices of Tony Zirkle in Smithfield of Delaware County, Indiana now so that we can assist you in receiving compensation for your injuries. Our attorney have much experience handling these types of cases and will ensure that you receive professional and competent legal representation.