Whiplash injuries are among the most common types of car accident injuries. When a person’s head moves forward, backward, or sideways quickly, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves can become damaged. A whiplash injury can require extensive rehabilitation and therapy. Personal injury accident victims who suffer whiplash injuries may be unable to return to work due to the pain and immobility caused by their symptoms.
Have you or your loved one suffered a whiplash injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault? If so, you’ll benefit from working with a skilled attorney. Attorney Tim Reed has a proven track record of successfully recovering compensation for clients who have been injured through no fault of their own. Contact the Reed Firm to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about how we can advocate for you.
Types of Accidents That Can Cause Whiplash
Most people associate whiplash injuries with car accidents, but many other preventable accidents can cause whiplash. The neck can become seriously injured when subjected to a forceful rapid back-and-forth movement. Any type of car accident can cause whiplash, but it is most common in rear-end accidents. The vehicle occupants in front can suffer whiplash when a car rear-ends the back of their vehicle, and their heads snap forward and backward quickly. Other types of accidents and trauma can cause whiplash, such as:
- Sports accidents
- Physical abuse, including assault
- Slip and fall accidents
- Theme park accidents
How Do Car Accidents Cause Whiplash?
When another vehicle strikes a person’s vehicle from behind, the seatbelt will push against the person’s torso. The force of the accident will propel a person’s head forward while the seat belt holds their torso in place. When there isn’t a proper head restraint, a person’s head can lag behind the torso and be forcefully thrown backward and forward. Even when there is a functioning headrest, a person’s head can fly forward and snap quickly back into the headrest, causing injury to the spine, ligaments, discs, nerves, and muscles in the victim’s neck.
Whiplash Symptoms
Every whiplash injury is unique, and each person experiences specific symptoms. Symptoms can range and severity from the soreness that resolves in a few weeks to ongoing problems that limit a person’s mobility. If you’ve been involved in an accident and feel pain or other symptoms in your neck, it’s crucial that you receive a comprehensive medical examination. Doing so will help you get the treatment and provide the medical records needed to show that the accident caused your whiplash. The physician may conduct a physical examination and use an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI to detect soft tissue injury such as damage to the discs, ligaments, or spinal cord.
Treatment options for whiplash vary depending on the severity of the injury, but they are usually focused on controlling pain and restoring a person’s range of motion. Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication and physical therapy are common treatments. Some of the symptoms experienced by those with whiplash include the following:
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Increased pain with neck movement
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Decreased range of motion in the neck
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue
- Pain and tenderness in the upper back, arms, or shoulders
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
Damages Recoverable in Whiplash Accident Cases
Although many people recover from whiplash within weeks of being injured, other whiplash injuries take months to heal. Some victims of whiplash injuries experience chronic pain and have long-lasting complications that severely limit their ability to work and engage in other activities they once loved.
Recovering compensation can help whiplash victims pay for their medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost income. For example, if you are no longer able to work because of your increased pain with neck movement and tingling and numbness in your arms, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss of future income. Additionally, plaintiffs can pursue compensation for non-economic damages caused by whiplash injuries, such as pain and suffering.
How Much Is My Whiplash Injury Case Worth?
The best way to understand the value of your case is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Attorney Tim Reed has decades of experience advocating for victims of personal injuries, including whiplash. After speaking with him, he can provide you with an estimate of what your case may be worth. Suppose you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. In that case, attorney Tim Reed has the resources and professional network needed to work with medical and financial experts and determine your case’s full value. He will advocate for you to receive the full and fair amount of compensation you need and deserve.
What to Do After Suffering a Whiplash Injury
The steps you take after becoming injured can help or hurt your claim. The first thing you should do is receive medical treatment. Following through on your doctor’s medical treatment recommendations and attending all of your physical therapy appointments can help you strengthen your claim for damages and ensure a total or maximum recovery of your injuries. Skipping appointments or disregarding medical advice can undermine your claim for monetary damages.
Medical records are essential to prove that the accident caused by the negligent party caused your injuries. You should also keep a record of your symptoms, pain levels, and activities you can no longer engage in because of your injury. Finally, you should contact an attorney who can begin negotiating on your behalf and protecting your rights as soon as possible.
Discuss Your Case with an Arkansas Whiplash Injury Attorney
If you or your loved one have suffered a whiplash injury after an Arkansas car accident or any other personal injury accident, it’s in your best interest to discuss your case with an attorney. Under Arkansas law, personal injury victims have the right to pursue compensation from the party or parties whose negligence or recklessness caused their injuries. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation.