Whiplash presents many signs, but they do not always immediately appear.
This neck injury can result from a sudden and forceful back and forth neck movement in a collision.
At Big Chad Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we aim to help accident survivors understand the signs of whiplash so they can confidently pursue a personal injury case for maximum compensation.
This learning resource provides an overview of the key symptoms to look out for if you suspect you or someone you know may have sustained whiplash.
With proper knowledge and awareness, you can take appropriate action to seek medical treatment and legal representation from our personal injury attorneys.
What Is Whiplash?
The colloquial term whiplash refers to an injury caused when the neck and head suddenly jerk back and forth beyond their normal range of motion.
When this occurs, the soft tissues and ligaments in the neck strain or tear, resulting in painful symptoms that can severely diminish the quality of life.
What Causes Whiplash?
Car Accidents
Auto collisions account for nearly 85% of all whiplash cases.
Rear-end collisions, in particular, are the most common cause, as they often result in a sudden and forceful neck movement when another vehicle slams into the back of a car.
Additional types of car accidents that can also cause whiplash include:
- Side-impact collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover crashes
When another driver’s negligent road behavior causes these accidents and you, the driver, suffer whiplash, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation to hold them financially accountable for their actions.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often throw riders off their bikes or cause sudden jerks that result in severe neck injuries.
When whiplash occurs in a motorcycle accident, it can cause more serious and long-lasting symptoms due to the lack of protection and exposure to road debris, high-speed impacts, and multiple collisions.
Truck Accidents
The incredible size and weight of commercial trucks can easily cause whiplash regardless of the accident’s severity.
Even a relatively minor collision with a truck can result in serious whiplash that can affect one’s ability to work or live daily life.
Furthermore, whiplash injuries sustained in truck accidents often require more extensive medical care and treatment, resulting in higher medical bills and potentially impacting your ability to return to work and earn a living.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Contrary to popular belief, whiplash isn’t limited to just car accidents. Slip and fall accidents can also cause sudden and forceful movements of the neck that result in whiplash injuries.
The physics of a fall can cause the head to jerk back and forth, straining and damaging the soft tissues in the neck. This type of whiplash injury may not immediately manifest but can still have long-term effects on your health and well-being.
When a slip and fall accident results from a property owner’s negligence, seek legal representation to hold them accountable for any injuries and related expenses.
How Do I Know If I Have Whiplash?
Chances are that if you were in an accident and experienced a sudden jolt or impact to your neck, you may have sustained whiplash. However, it’s not always immediately apparent, and the symptoms may take some time to manifest.
The immediate after-effects of a whiplash injury may include:
- neck pain and stiffness
- headaches
- limited range of motion in the neck
- dizziness and fatigue
As time goes on, other symptoms may appear or become more intense, including:
- blurred vision
- ringing in the ears
- difficulty concentrating
- memory problems
Unfortunately, these systems are not exclusive to whiplash injuries. For this reason, you must see a medical professional after an accident to properly diagnose and treat any potential injuries.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
The length of time whiplash symptoms affect quality of life varies depending on the severity of the injury. Sometimes, symptoms may stay minor, requiring only a few weeks of treatment and recovery.
In more severe cases, whiplash can last for months or even years, causing chronic pain and discomfort.
Regardless of the severity or duration, one thing is for certain – sustaining whiplash injuries leads to lost income, diminished quality of life, and expensive medical bills.
What Should I Do If I Get Whiplash in an Accident?
Seek medical treatment.
There is no single cure for whiplash, and the more severe the injury is, the more extensive the treatment may be. The sooner you seek medical treatment after an accident, the better your chances of a full recovery.
Additionally, seeking medical treatment creates an official record of your injuries, which is crucial when pursuing a personal injury case for financial compensation. It also bolsters a claim for the full extent of your injuries and related expenses.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney.
In an ideal world, the person or entity responsible for your whiplash injuries (or their insurance company) would recognize their liability and provide adequate compensation for damages and losses. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually the case.
With negligent drivers, trucking companies, and property owners looking to avoid liability or minimize payouts as much as possible, your best course of action is to contact a personal injury attorney.
With their help, you can combat shady insurance company tactics, at-fault drivers, and other entities who don’t want to face their financial responsibilities for your injuries.
How Much Is My Whiplash Accident Case Worth?
In personal injury claims, there is no set standard when it comes to compensation.
The law allows injured parties to pursue compensation for their damages and losses.
Common recoverable economic or tangible damages from whiplash injuries may include:
- ER treatment and hospital bills
- Follow-up medical expenses
- Physical therapy costs
- Lost income from missed work
- Future lost earnings if your injuries prevent you from working in the future
Non-economic damages, or those that are not easily quantifiable, may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The final value of your whiplash accident case will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding your accident and subsequent injuries.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you effectively recover the full extent of these damages and losses.
Whiplash Personal Injury Claim: What is the Legal Process
The first step in a personal injury claim is to consult with an experienced attorney.
They will review your case, gather evidence, and determine the best legal options for seeking compensation.
From there, they may negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or file a lawsuit if necessary.
The legal process can be lengthy and complex, but having a knowledgeable lawyer can significantly improve your chances of success.
In the case of whiplash injuries, you must act quickly, as there are often time limits for filing a personal injury claim.
The longer you wait, the more difficult it may become to recover the full extent of damages and losses related to your accident.
Key pieces of evidence a lawyer can help you gather to strengthen your case include:
- Medical records and bills
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos from the accident scene
- Police reports
Remember, whiplash injuries may not be immediately apparent, so you must seek medical treatment immediately after an accident, even if you feel okay.
This will create official documentation of your injuries and help build a strong case for compensation.
Other Types of Compensatory Personal Injuries
Whiplash from an accident is often accompanied by other types of injuries that can impact your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Common compensable personal injuries include:
- Broken bones or fractures: These result from the force of impact or being thrown around in a car during an accident.
- Head injuries: Blunt force head trauma includes everything from concussions to traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can have long-lasting effects on cognitive function.
- Soft tissue injuries: Like whiplash, these may not be immediately apparent but can cause chronic pain and discomfort.
- Catastrophic injuries: These are severe and permanent injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or amputations, that can have life-altering consequences.
Combined with whiplash, these and other common accident injuries can significantly impact your ability to live your life normally and require extensive medical treatment, resulting in significant financial strain.
Seeking compensation for these damages through a personal injury claim is often necessary to recover physically, emotionally, and financially from an accident.
Whiplash Accident Injury FAQs
Yes, you may still be able to recover damages in a personal injury claim even if you were partially at fault. This highlights the importance of working with a personal injury lawyer who can minimize your liability and help you recover maximum compensation.
If your whiplash injury occurred while on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, consult an experienced personal injury attorney because a third-party claim can make additional compensation available.
While seeking prompt medical treatment is vital for your health and a potential personal injury claim, not doing so does not automatically disqualify you from seeking compensation. Other factors, such as the severity of your injuries and documentation from witnesses, can still support your claim.
If the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured, you may still be able to seek
compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. An experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate this process and ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
Consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company. Often, these offers do not cover your costs or take into account future damages and losses. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and recover fair compensation for your injuries.
Sustained Whiplash in an Accident? Contact Big Chad Law Injury & Accident Lawyers to Recover Maximum Compensation
With the potential for long-lasting effects and extensive medical treatment, never take whiplash injuries from an accident lightly.
If you sustained whiplash or other injuries in an accident, don’t hesitate to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer at Big Chad Law Injury & Accident Lawyers.
Our dedication to our clients and extensive legal knowledge allows us to effectively fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online or at (602) 560-5820 for your free case evaluation and learn how much your damages are worth.