The name given to neck strain caused by the impact of a car accident sounds quite painful: whiplash. But the painful discomfort, disruption of activities of daily living, and any other complications that really follow can be excruciatingly difficult to handle.

If you live in a state that requires no-fault auto insurance, you can file a loss claim directly with your own insurance company. In the event that you do not have that coverage option and your injury was the result of another driver’s fault, you will want to file an injury claim and a related loss insurance claim if it is you with your company.

Other losses related to the injury may include:

• Mileage costs to and from doctor visits

• Loss of income due to work interruption.

Although the initial symptoms immediately after the collision may be minimal, increased pain and other progressive signs of the condition may take time to develop. While full symptoms can appear immediately after a car accident, they can also take hours or even days after the accident.

If you feel any of the following symptoms, in any range or extent, be sure to seek medical attention from your doctor immediately.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Painful muscle cramps

• Inability to turn the head fully or partially

• Increasing pain in the neck area

• Headaches that start in the lower part of the skull and move towards the forehead.

Seeing your doctor immediately after feeling the first signs of a whiplash condition, no matter how minimal they may seem initially, is of the utmost importance. This is related to the prospects for full recovery, as well as your chances of receiving adequate auto insurance compensation. As soon as you get a diagnosis from a doctor who checks for whiplash, don’t waste time writing the insurance company about your desire to file a claim. Of course, it is imperative to keep records of all expenses with respect to loss and damage.

While whiplash is a painful reality that a sufferer must endure for some time, it should heal on its own with the help of the doctor’s instructions and your own pain management.

These suggestions will help in treatment:

– Immediately after you feel a symptom, put an ice pack on your neck. Do this for a quarter of an hour every 3-4 hours for the first two to three days. As a result, swelling and tenderness should be subsidized.

– Ask your doctor to prescribe pain relievers.

– Ask your doctor if he thinks it is necessary to use a support collar.

– After the post-ice treatment period, apply moist heat to your neck. You can do this by taking hot showers, lukewarm baths, or by placing a towel moistened with warm water on the sore spot.

For more information on filing a vehicle accident induced whiplash insurance claim, contact an experienced independent agency that is connected to leading companies.