At some point in life, every American will be involved in an auto accident at least once.

In most cases, victims will leave an accident without thinking that there is anything wrong at the time because they have no symptoms. But what they do not know is that most of the symptoms from an accident may not even pop up until days, months or years later. Most times, injuries can be well hidden or even missed.

There is a big misconception that the extent of damage to the car correlates with the extent of the injury incurred by the victim. Cars absorb a great deal of impact through the bumper; however, the energy from the impact is then transmitted to the head and neck of the driver and passengers, similar to the transfer of energy when one pool ball strikes another.

What many are unaware of is that if a neck or back injury remains untreated, arthritis is likely to develop, adding even more pain, weakness, and degeneration. Some of the more prominent symptoms of a whiplash injury include dizziness, irritability, back pain, pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulders, numbness in the arms and fingers, and recurring headaches. If you or someone you know were involved in a motor vehicle accident and has suffered a whiplash injury, don't hesitate to be seen by a personal injury specialist.