Whiplash and Cervicalgia

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with whiplash every year. Many live here in Central New York. While the diagnosis is common, the symptoms present differently depending upon the accident victim. Common whiplash symptoms include:

  • cervicalgia (neck pain that does not radiate outwards);
  • radiating neck pain, neck ache, neck stiffness and neck tenderness;
  • muscle spasms (cervical muscle spasms);
  • scapular pain;
  • difficulty turning neck (loss of range of motion)
  • headaches;
  • dizziness;
  • lightheadedness
  • difficulty with balance;
  • tingling (pins and needles); and
  • numbness (cold sensation).
  • blurred vision;
  • diplopia;
  • difficulty swallowing;
  • post-traumatic depression;
  • nightmares;
  • difficulty sleeping; and
  • cognitive problems.

People with whiplash likely have symptoms because of injury to:

  • nerve roots and dura;
  • cervical vertebrae;
  • intervertebral discs;
  • intervertebral ligaments;
  • capsule of the facet joints;
  • longitudinal ligaments (anterior and posterior);
  • extensor and flexor spinal musculature; and
  • the brain.

Insurance companies have spent millions of dollars to try and persuade the public, who ultimately sit on juries, that whiplash is not a serious, real, or disabling injury. Insurance companies do not want you to know the following:

  • most whiplash injuries occur at speeds slower than 12 miles per hour (slow or low speed);
  • most cars will show no damage if rear-ended low speeds at speeds slower than 12 miles per hour (slow or low speed);
  • rear-end impacts at speeds between 6 miles per hour and 12 miles per hour cause the most injuries;
  • most whiplash symptoms take some time to appear (delayed onset is normal, not abnormal);
  • most people suffer from whiplash symptoms for more than 6 months;
  • some people never recover from whiplash injuries.

The lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have considerable experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict cases involving severe personal injuries, including whiplash and cervicalgia. Contact us now to discuss your case or concerns.