“Whiplash” is the term for a neck injury resulting from a rapid and forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the movement of a whip. It often occurs in situations such as a vehicle accident (especially a rear-end crash). A Columbus Car Accident Lawyer can help you if you’ve suffered this type of injury due to someone else’s negligence.
According to medical estimates, there are about 120,000 cases of whiplash each year in the US. People who have sustained this injury suffer from health complaints that cannot be ignored, such as neck pain and headaches. In some of these cases, conditions can be chronic.
A whiplash injury requires medication and related treatments. In addition, it may result in missed work, disruption of activities, and lifestyle changes. Obtaining compensation for people who have sustained this injury in an accident caused by someone else will greatly help with their expenses.
However, whiplash symptoms may not immediately manifest themselves after an accident, and this can affect a victim’s claim. It is therefore important for accident victims to know about whiplash and how to effectively claim compensation for it.
Whiplash Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of whiplash may develop as early as 24 hours or as late as several days after an accident. Sometimes, it may appear only as a very minor injury, with victims only detecting a slight discomfort. The following are some common symptoms of whiplash:
- Neck pain and/or stiffness
- Headaches, usually originating at the base of the skull
- Shoulder pain or tenderness
- Upper back pain or tenderness
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Dizziness
In some cases, other signs may show:
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory problems
Immediate medical attention is always crucial after an accident. Even if injuries look slight at first, a doctor or medical professional should be able to determine if a victim needs further examination for whiplash or other neck or spine injuries.
Diagnosing and Treating Whiplash Injuries After a Car Accident
Whiplash injuries are commonly caused by motor-vehicle accidents such as rear-end collisions and head-on crashes, where the force of the impact can throw your head in a manner that puts intense strain on your neck. This sharp, intense movement, can push the muscles, ligaments, and bones in your neck beyond what they were meant to handle, resulting in symptoms like pain, stiffness, headaches, and more. In severe cases, whiplash can lead to long-term complications such as chronic dizziness, headache, and pain that interfere with your daily activities (Cleveland Clinic).
In some cases, adrenaline and endorphins released right after the injury can mask the initial onset of pain, leading to whiplash symptoms that arise days after the accident has taken place. It is often advised that car accident victims seek medical attention even if they feel that their injuries are fine or manageable, as injuries like whiplash may not be immediately evident.
There are several local medical centers that can help you discern whether you have whiplash and how you can receive treatment:
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- OhioHealth Grant Medical Center
- Mount Carmel East Hospital
- OhioHealth Rehabilitation Hospital
Once you’re in a medical center, a healthcare professional will likely run through a few tests with you that measure your range of motion, tenderness, pain, and reflexes. In some cases, they may also request imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and an MRI.
Based on your results, the healthcare professional may recommend various treatments according to the degree of your injury, such as:
- Medication such as muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories
- Cold and heat therapy
- Physical therapy
- Spine surgery (in rare cases)
Whiplash injuries can take anywhere from a few days to several months to heal, depending on the severity of the injury, with minor injuries healing in a few days to a few weeks and more serious injuries taking longer. In some cases, injury victims may develop long-term complications.
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Ohio Whiplash Injury Claims
Sometimes it makes sense for victims to file an insurance claim to obtain compensation for a whiplash injury. However, many make the mistake of delaying their medical treatment, and this makes it easy for a claims adjuster to undermine the seriousness of the injury. Thus, for an effective insurance claim or considering a lawsuit, it is best for a whiplash injury victim to consult a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer who is experienced in handling such injury cases.
In certain accident cases, a lawsuit may be necessary for an accident victim to collect damages. For instance, an insurance company may wrongfully deny the victim’s claim, or the person at fault may not have insurance.
Whether making an insurance claim or considering a lawsuit, it is best for a whiplash injury victim to consult a whiplash injury attorney who is experienced in handling such injury cases.
How The Fitch Law Firm Can Help
If you suffered a severe whiplash injury due to a car accident, The Fitch Law Firm can help you recover both economic and non-economic damages. Our attorneys have years of experience helping car injury victims navigate their accident claim and hold liable parties accountable.
Our car accident lawyer can help your accident claim in various ways, such as:
- Investigating the car accident that caused your whiplash injury
- Consulting with medical experts such as physicians, specialists, and rehabilitation professionals
- Gathering medical records, accident reports, and other relevant documentation
- Calculating damages for your medical expenses, lost income, and any future care needs
- Handling negotiations with insurance carriers
- Managing communications with the at-fault driver and/or other responsible parties
- Pursuing settlement through litigation if the at-fault party refuses to settle
Having experienced legal representation can help alleviate some of your stress while you’re navigating the aftermath of your accident. Our legal team can answer your questions, keep you informed at every stage of the process, and provide you the legal support you need so that you can focus on healing.
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Experienced Whiplash Injury Lawyer
If you have been in an accident and have symptoms of whiplash, the Fitch Law Firm can help you determine if you need to involve a Columbus personal injury attorney. If we take on your case, we will work with doctors and specialists who can provide the treatment you need and help us build a strong case for you. Our firm is also proficient in dealing with insurance companies – we have three decades of experience in handling negotiations in cases like yours.
Get your free initial consultation today. Call (855) LAW-OHIO or use the free consultation form on this page.