A common complaint among victims after a car accident is a neck injury. When the accident occurs, the head and neck may violently whip back and forth. This can lead to a soft tissue injury in the neck, straining muscles and tendons as well as potentially damaging vertebrae.
If you are having pain in your neck and upper back after a crash that someone else caused, you should see a doctor and have your symptoms diagnosed. You also may want to call a Valdosta whiplash lawyer, such as the team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, to fight for your right to seek a settlement.
Call us for a free case review at (404) 888-8888 as soon as possible.
Long-Term Effects of Whiplash
According to the Cleveland Clinic, whiplash is a soft tissue injury in the neck, also called a neck strain. There are a number of symptoms of whiplash that the victim will notice anywhere from immediately after the crash to within a few days afterward, including:
- Significant pain in the neck
- Pain in the shoulders
- Pain in the upper back
- Stiffness that prevents normal neck movement
- Headaches
- Problems with short-term memory
These problems may alleviate after a week or two with a minor case of whiplash.
Diagnosing Whiplash
If your short-term symptoms persist or seem to worsen over time, doctors may order an MRI or other tests of the neck to determine how much long-term damage has occurred to the soft tissues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if your symptoms do not alleviate on their own with rest, doctors may prescribe a number of treatments, including:
- Prescription medications
- Muscle relaxants
- Injections of numbing medications directly to the affected area
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Stabilizing collars
If these work, you may be able to return to your normal life within several weeks. However, if they do not work, you could be facing long-term weakness in the neck that leaves you unable to enjoy life as you did before the crash. You may have to try working in a different profession or working fewer hours to deal with the pain and weakness.
Some patients who receive a diagnosis of whiplash also may be diagnosed with a concussion or with traumatic brain injury. These are separate conditions, but the violent whipping of the head and neck in a car crash can cause an injury to the brain as well as the neck. If you have multiple injuries, it is especially important to see a doctor for a treatment plan.
We Are Ready to Help
A Valdosta whiplash lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the legal process. If an insurance company tries to downplay the long-term effects of whiplash or attempts to reduce the amount of compensation the insurer is willing to offer to you, we can help with the necessary negotiations.
We will stand by your side throughout each step of your case. During the negotiation phase, should the insurer fail to come to a fair settlement that reflects your losses, we can represent your interests in a court case. Call us at (404) 888-8888 today for a free review of your situation.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash lawyer serving Valdosta, call (404) 888-8888
Accidents that Can Result in Whiplash
Any type of car accident in which the head and neck are subject to excessive force, causing them to move back and forth quickly, can result in a whiplash diagnosis.
Rear End Accident
One common type of accident where whiplash injury occurs is a rear end accident. If you are sitting at a stoplight and a driver who is not paying attention hits you from the rear, your head and neck could snap violently from the sudden force that jolts the stopped car forward.
This can cause significant injuries or even death. The Insurance Information Institute (III) estimates that over 7% of traffic fatalities each year in the United States occur from rear end crashes.
Rollover Accident
If another car forces your car off the road, you could lose control and roll down an embankment. As the car rolls, tremendous force could be placed on your entire body, including your head and neck.
Side Impact Accident
When you enter an intersection legally, but another driver fails to yield right of way and strikes your car on the side, this is a side impact or T-bone accident. It can exert significant force on the body, as the head and neck may snap to the side from the sudden jolt.
Valdosta Whiplash Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Follow the Doctor’s Advice And Treatment Plan
After a car accident in which another driver hits you, you may not feel significant pain immediately afterward. Sometimes, the adrenaline that your body releases after the crash masks the pain, meaning that you may not feel like you need to go to the hospital.
However, after sleeping, you may find that the pain is intense the next day and that you are unable to move your head and neck normally. Even though you may have felt fine after the crash, you may want to visit a doctor in the days after the crash to have your injuries examined.
Call us Today for a Free Consultation
If a doctor diagnoses you with whiplash, you should follow his or her advice for a treatment plan. It is important to attend your appointments with a doctor or with a physical therapist. Your records of such visits can be used as evidence in an insurance claim, demonstrating that your injuries are as severe as you are suggesting.
Should the insurer be asking you questions about the accident and your injuries that you do not feel comfortable answering, you have the right to hire a Valdosta whiplash lawyer to represent you in discussions and negotiations with the insurer.
Remember that in the state of Georgia, there is a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims, according to Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) § 9-3-33. If you fail to act within this window of time, you may not be able to take legal action.
At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we will work on your behalf to pursue a settlement for your injuries, whether the doctor diagnoses you with whiplash or with multiple injuries. For a free review of your situation, contact us at (404) 888-8888 today.
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