Are Whiplash and Concussion the Same?
When you are involved in a car accident, one of the injuries you are most likely to sustain is whiplash. Or is it concussion? Or both? Whiplash and concussion are both things that happen that cause injury, not exactly injuries themselves. Let’s take a closer look.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the term used to describe a rapid acceleration of the head followed by a rapid deceleration. In other words, your head snaps forward and then backward at a speed that does not match that of your body. This often happens when you are rear-ended and wearing a seat belt.
The force of your neck’s movement can cause ligament, tendon and muscle damage in the neck and shoulders. The movement can even cause injuries to bony tissue.
Concussion
A concussion is a similar type of movement to whiplash and often occurs during the same event. Concussion describes the excessive movement of the brain within the skull. The two terms, whiplash and concussion, are so closely related because the events often coincide with one another.
For example, let’s say that you are driving your vehicle, come to a stop and are hit rapidly from behind. The impact sends your head forward and backward with such momentum that your brain hits the front and back of your skull. This would be both whiplash and concussion.
It is important that you seek medical attention if you have been involved in any type of accident that has caused your head and neck to move back and forth quickly or with force. You may think that you just have a headache or a case of stiff shoulders, but you could have a serious medical injury. A doctor can diagnose you properly and provide you with the necessary treatment.
If you have been involved in an accident in Austin or the surrounding area, please call our team of personal injury attorneys. We will review the details of your case and advise you of your options. We are here for you and your family and will work to get you any compensation you are entitled to under law. Call now.