The National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that whiplash lasts for a few weeks to a few months. In severe cases, it might last several months. Of course, treating the symptoms properly may reduce recovery time. For most people, whiplash lasts for a period of weeks or months with symptoms lingering longer for some patients.
When you’re hurt in an accident, identifying whiplash is important to your recovery. Whiplash affects the spine, muscles, discs, nerves and tendons in the neck. When you’re in a car accident, your body is subjected to a sudden jolt. Your body is quickly thrown forward or sideways.
The neck is fragile. It’s not meant to withstand the speed of vehicles traveling down the road. The victim may suffer a strain of the various parts of the neck. Muscles can be severely strained, and ligaments and nerves can be torn.
All of this damage can result in pain for the victim.