Whiplash

On the way into work I was on a roundabout doing probably less than 20mph and signalling correctly when a truck came on to the roundabout and didn't stop.

Fortunately I saw him and yanked my wheel to the right so instead of hitting me square on at 90 degrees in the passenger side, he side swiped me and I ended up on the humpy bit in the middle of the roundabout with both passenger doors damaged.

When I got out of the car immediately after the accident, I was shaking slightly (the shock at bouncing off a HGV where the wheel was almost as tall as my car) but felt otherwise OK, exchanged insurance details and went into work.

That afternoon I had a headache and my neck felt a bit sore and by 8pm my neck, back, arms and leg were throbbing and I woke several times that night in pain despite some paracetamol.

Occupational Health at work referred me for physio and I've since had three sessions but almost three weeks on I'm still in pain. My neck and back just ache constantly and I have a permanent head ache. None of these great three weeks into a new job with an extensive commute. I still wake up at least twice each night and have to try sleeping in a more comfortable position. Sadly I'm not a bat and can't hang by my feet from the rail in the wardrobe as I've tried just about every other position.

Why am I sharing this? Well, yes, I have whiplash. The Occupational Health nurse, the Physiotherapist and the Massage guy (I'm sure he has a more impressive job title too) have all confirmed it.

I always thought people just made it up but for a low speed impact I can't believe how much it's impacted my life. I'm doing the exercises I've been told to by the Physiotherapist but been told there could be little improvement for two or three months. Good news if you work for a leading ibuprofen manufacturer though as I must have boosted your sales no end.

I've been in car accidents before and never had this so I can only put it down to the angle of the accident as when you're hit from the back or front the headrest does its job but from the side has little protection.

So the next time you read about fraudulent whiplash insurance cases, spare a thought for the genuine whiplash injuries. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

(Written at 2am whilst microwaving a heat pad and taking some ibuprofen)