Reviewed by Jay S. Hausman, Esq.
Quick Summary: Whiplash vs. Concussion
- The Difference: Whiplash is a severe neck muscle/tendon strain. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). You can suffer both simultaneously from a single impact.
- Overlapping Symptoms: Both cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and blurred vision, making a professional medical diagnosis critical.
- TBI Spectrum: Concussions are categorized into 3 severity grades, while severe collisions can cause catastrophic closed, penetrating, or brain stem injuries.
- Legal Deadline: Victims of negligent New York car accidents have a strict three-year statute of limitations to file a claim for medical bills and pain and suffering.
In a car accident, the two most common injuries victims suffer are whiplash and a concussion. Many people believe these two injuries are the same. However, they are not. Many people confuse these injuries because they don’t understand that a person can suffer either or both of these injuries at the same time. Understanding the differences between these injuries is important to ensure you are receiving proper medical care after a collision. Keep reading to learn more about these injuries and how our dedicated Westchester County Car Accident Attorneys can help you navigate your legal options.
Can I suffer whiplash and a concussion in the same accident?
Whiplash and concussion injuries are often confused because they occur as the result of the same incident. When a collision occurs, the impact causes the head to jolt forward and backward violently. This jerking motion often causes severe strain on the neck and causes the brain to collide with the side of the skull. It is not uncommon for victims of car accidents to sustain both of these injuries simultaneously. However, whiplash is a neck injury while a concussion is a head injury. More specifically, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although whiplash involves the head being forcefully thrust forward and backward, it is not a head injury like a concussion. A concussion is an injury to the brain itself.
Shared Symptoms
Moreover, one of the main reasons why many people confuse these two injuries is because they can have similar symptoms. These overlapping symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, cognitive decline, aching, and nausea. In addition to having similar symptoms, these injuries may not have immediate effects after an accident which is why it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention after a collision.
Whiplash Symptoms
Furthermore, despite their similar symptoms, they have distinct differences that help separate them. Whiplash symptoms may include but are not limited to:
- Neck stiffness
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Tenderness in the shoulder and arms
Concussion Symptoms
Concussion symptoms may include but are not limited to:
- Light sensitivity
- Confusion
- Trouble thinking
- Memory loss
- Diminished coordination
- Severe headaches
It is imperative to have your injuries examined by healthcare professionals who will be able to properly diagnose your injuries. This will ensure you receive the proper treatment to help you recover. If you do not seek medical attention, you could wind up developing, depending on the severity of your injuries, post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), which can cause you to experience symptoms of these injuries for several years after a collision.
Understanding the Three Grades of Concussions
It’s important to understand the severity and professional grade of the concussion in order to properly manage and treat the injury. As such, medical professionals generally classify concussions into three distinct grades.
- Grade 1: There is no loss of consciousness, with mild symptoms lasting less than 15 minutes.
- Grade 2: There is a brief loss of consciousness, with symptoms lasting longer than 15 minutes.
- Grade 3: This is the most severe, involving loss of consciousness for more than five minutes.
The Broader Spectrum of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
According to CDC data, an estimated 1.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injujry every year. While concussions are among the most common due to recreational sports and activities, auto collisions, slips and falls, and workplace accidents can result in severe trauma. As such, these injuries are generally categorized into:
- Closed brain injuries: This occurs when a sudden shake or force causes the brain to collide with the skull without an external object penetrating the head.
- Penetrating brain injuries: This happens when an object pierces the skull and brain tissue, which is often fatal.
It’s also important to understand that brain injuries are split into primary injuries, which happen at the moment of impact, and secondary injuries, which develop over time following an initial trauma. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there are a number of specific TBIs a victim can endure, like:
- Diffuse axonal injuries
- Hematomas
- Brain stem injuries
- Contusions
- Coup-contrecoup injuries
- Skull fractures
The Severe Impact of Brain Stem Injuries
The brain stem regulates vital, involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, and balance. When an accident results in a brain stem injury, the victim may exhibit slurred speech, severe balance problems, persistent vomiting, and chronic difficulty eating or drinking. These catastrophic injuries often require intensive, long-term physical therapy and expensive medical treatments.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in New York: Navigating Insurance and Liability
In New York personal injury cases, insurance adjusters often use terms to downplay and minimize your injuries as a means of reducing the compensation you are entitled to. Unfortunately, despite the fact that many insurance adjusters pretend to care about your well-being, you will find that they do not have your best interests in mind and prioritize saving the company as much money as possible. As such, even a “mild” TBI can result in permanent cognitive impairment and emotional impacts.
As such, if you were injured and sustained a TBI due to the negligent actions of another party, you typically have the right to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover compensation for:
- Comprehensive medical expenses and future rehabilitation
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
- Mental anguish, pain and suffering, disability, or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one tragically passes away from their injuries
The New York Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury
In accordance with New York State law, you generally have three years from the date on which the accident occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. However, it is in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to help you gather evidence to help ensure you can strengthen your claim.
Contact an Experienced Westchester County Attorney Today
In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident as a result of another person’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our determined and trusted attorneys at the Hausman Law Group. We are prepared to represent your interests in court to seek reasonable compensation for your damages. Contact us today to learn more.