Have You Heard These Whiplash Myths?

There are millions of car accidents in the U.S. every year, and whiplash is one of the most common injuries that car accident victims suffer. However, despite how common this injury is, there are several myths about whiplash that continue to thrive in popular culture. Consider the following myths and the realities behind them:

MYTH: Whiplash can easily be identified with an x-ray.

TRUTH: Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue in the neck, and therefore does not show up on an x-ray. It can sometimes be detected with other imaging devices, but in many cases even people with serious pain and distress due to whiplash will not have verifiable results from an imaging device.

MYTH: If you have whiplash, you have to make a complaint at the time of the accident for it to be considered valid.

TRUTH: For many people, the pain of whiplash does not develop until several hours after the accident, and it may even take months to arise. Report the pain as it arises, and you may still be eligible for compensation for this injury.

MYTH: If the cars are going slow at the time of the accident, it’s unlikely or impossible for occupants to be injured, including suffering whiplash.

TRUTH: In fact, the majority of car accident injuries (78%) occur at speeds of 12mph or less, and 18% of all injuries occur at speeds of 6mph or less.

MYTH: The only real symptom of whiplash is neck pain.

TRUTH: While about 9 out of 10 people with whiplash have neck pain, many people also present with back pain, headaches, shoulder pain, confusion, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one suffered whiplash in an accident caused by another person, contact a Chicago injury attorney from Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200 today to learn more about your legal options.