How Whiplash Forces Can Cause Brain Injury Without a Head Strike

Whiplash injuries are often categorized as minor soft tissue claims, especially when there has been no direct blow to the head. But that can be a dangerous assumption. The violent forces involved in a whiplash can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI) even when the skull never strikes another surface. 

In a rear end collision or similar event, a victim’s neck can snap backward and forward in succession, even as their body is held in place by seatbelts. This motion does not stop at the cervical spine. The brain, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, continues moving inside the skull and can collide with the inner walls of the cranium. Even without external head trauma, these internal forces can damage delicate brain tissue, cause internal bleeding and lead to altered brain function and disability.

Because there may be no visible head wound, no loss of consciousness and no immediate neurological effect, brain injuries related to whiplash are frequently overlooked at first. Delayed presentation is common with TBIs. Victims who only felt shaken at the scene of a crash may not notice cognitive or neurological symptoms for several days or even weeks.

That makes it important for whiplash victims and their loved ones to be on guard for delayed symptoms that indicate a TBI, such as:

• Persistent headaches or pressure in the head
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Blurred vision, light sensitivity or blown pupils
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Nausea without another clear cause
• Memory lapses and problems retaining new information
• Trouble concentrating 
• Difficulty with familiar tasks
• Slower thinking or “brain fog” 
• Irritability, mood swings, anxiety or depression
• Sleep disruptions or unusual fatigue

It is also important to understand that TBIs exist on a spectrum. Even mild injuries can produce lasting impairment. Cognitive and emotional symptoms can be particularly distressing for victims because they can affect their ability to work and maintain their relationships. Their independence may also be negatively affected.

Prompt reporting of neurological symptoms, consultations with specialists and consistent medical care protect the victim’s health and help create a clear record linking their brain injury to the accident. Recognizing the signs of a traumatic brain injury early allows victims to ensure that the full scope of their injuries is properly evaluated as part of their claim. 

The New York law firm of Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP in St. James, New York offers focused, aggressive representation for brain injury victims throughout Long Island. Call 631-360-0400 or contact us online to obtain a free consultation.