Whiplash and neck injuries in Los Angeles

What whiplash is, how symptoms can show up late and when neck pain needs urgent care.

If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 now. Do not use this form for urgent symptoms.

What it is

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, most often in a rear-end collision. It strains the muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck. Common symptoms are neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder or upper-back pain, dizziness and fatigue.

Who it may help

Anyone who feels neck pain, stiffness or headaches after a collision, even a low-speed one, may want to be evaluated. Symptoms often appear hours or days later, so waiting for pain to start is not a reliable test.

What to expect

Many whiplash injuries improve over weeks to months with activity as tolerated, gentle movement, exercise and, for some people, manual therapy. A small number of people have symptoms that last longer. Recovery varies and nothing is guaranteed.

Risks to understand

Go to an emergency room for severe neck pain after a crash, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble walking, confusion, vision changes, a severe headache or loss of bladder or bowel control. These can signal a fracture, spinal cord injury or head injury.

Insurance and questions to ask

Ask your insurer which providers and imaging are covered, whether medical payments coverage applies and what documentation they need. Keep a dated record of symptoms and every visit.

Informational website. It is not a healthcare or legal practice, does not name or imply any particular provider or attorney, and does not give medical or legal advice. Using it does not create a provider-patient or attorney-client relationship. Content is general education only; talk to a licensed provider about your own care. Last reviewed: November 2026.