Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the more common injuries associated with car accidents. The impact of a car hitting another vehicle or an object like a tree or phone pole causes the driver’s neck to snap forward and backwards like a whip. Victims of whiplash often experience symptoms for months, sometimes even years, after the wreck, although they can be very difficult to diagnose. A recent study suggests that whiplash can actually cause changes in blood flow due to the strong connection between the neck and the brain. Researchers hope that their findings will help patients suffering from chronic whiplash associated disorder (cWAD) by providing doctors with the information they need to diagnose the condition.

Research indicates that approximately three in 1,000 people suffer from whiplash, and one in four experience chronic symptoms. A typical whiplash injury occurs when a car is traveling at a relatively low speed. As a result, victims may not experience any physical pain immediately following the crash. Most people do not seek medical attention because they do not think they are injured.  However, symptoms often appear soon after the car accident has occurred. Some of the most common symptoms of cWAD include headache, and neck and jaw pain.

Dr. David Vallez, lead author of the study, said that patients suffering from cWAD may experience symptoms for years. Often when the patient seeks medical attention, the doctor is unable to provide any answers because the tests do not reveal a problem. Unfortunately, it is very common to question whether or not the patient is making up symptoms in order to seek compensation. For the patient, it can be a very difficult situation because he or she is in pain, but the doctor is unable to provide a concrete diagnosis. By identifying the cause of the symptoms, Vellez is hopeful that their research can help doctors diagnose cWAD and provide effective treatment options.

Study Findings

This is the first study to examine the effects of central hyperexcitability – a condition which causes an increased sensitivity to pain – and changes in blood flow in the brain, in order to identify whether this connection between the neck and the brain is causing the whiplash symptoms. The study participants included 20 women, eight of whom were healthy and free of any symptoms, and 12 who suffered from cWAD. Researchers used a positron emission tomography (PET) to scan each of the women’s brains while they received varying levels of pain-free electrical neck stimulation.

The results revealed changes in blood flow in the part of the brain that processes pain and sensory information. This evidence will help raise awareness of the disease and help doctors provide the treatment and the validation that patients with cWAD need.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Whiplash Injuries

If you are suffering from a whiplash injury as a result of a car accident, you are urged to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Due to the nature of this type of injury, it is crucial to have legal representation that can conduct a thorough investigation into the details of your accident and secure the medical records that prove the legitimacy of your injury. We will not stop until we have recovered the maximum financial compensation you deserve from all liable parties. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.