Whiplash From Car Accident Lawyers in Augusta

Augusta Lawyer for Whiplash from Car Accidents Whiplash is a common injury sustained in car accidents. Our lawyers specialize in car accident cases and know how to get compensation for all the injuries they cause, including whiplash. If you are suffering with whiplash from a car accident, call Chris Hudson Law Group at (706) 863-6600 for a free consultation.

Every year more than two million Americans suffer whiplash. Perhaps because it is so commonplace, it is unfairly considered a lesser injury. Although whiplash is touted as a minor injury, it can cause significant pain and potential impairment, especially if left untreated.

At Chris Hudson Law Group, we have seen first-hand how a whiplash injury can impact a car accident victim’s life. From medical expenses to time missed from work, whiplash can cost you a significant amount of time and money. If you didn’t cause the accident, should you be on the hook for these expenses? The legal team at our office in Augusta, Georgia doesn’t think you should be. We are committed to helping car accident victims diagnosed with whiplash seek the financial compensation they deserve.

We want to offer you a free and confidential legal consultation to answer your questions about recovering compensation for your injuries. Call our office at (706) 863-6600 today or fill in our online contact form and someone will contact you shortly.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries reported after a car accident. Although most associated with rear-end collisions, whiplash can happen no matter what type of car accident you’re in. Whiplash occurs when the neck is rapidly thrust forward and then backward again, much like the cracking of a whip. Make no mistake: whiplash injuries don’t happen only in high-speed accidents. Vehicle collisions at speeds as low as five to ten miles per hour can cause whiplash, too.

There is no denying that seatbelts are lifesavers. However, they can also contribute to whiplash injuries. A seatbelt works by restraining your torso in the event of an accident. It prevents your body from flying forward or being propelled through the windshield. Unfortunately, your head has no such restraint. While your body remains relatively stationary, the force of a collision sends your head violently forward and backward.

The average adult human head can weigh as much as ten or 11 pounds. When something that heavy is suddenly thrust forward and backward, it can cause significant damage to the muscles and soft tissues in the neck and upper back.

Common Symptoms of Whiplash

Augusta Lawyer for Whiplash from Car Accidents Although whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries, it is also an injury that can easily be overlooked. Signs of whiplash may not manifest immediately after a crash, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. The rush of adrenaline you get immediately after an accident can mask the pain and other symptoms associated with whiplash. In the hours and days after a crash, watch for these common signs of a whiplash injury:

Neck pain
Neck stiffness
Back pain
Pain that radiates down into your limbs, especially the arms and hands
Numbness in your limbs or extremities
Loss of range of motion in the neck
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue

Rarely, whiplash injuries can also cause blurred vision, hearing problems, and changes in a person’s sleeping patterns. If you are involved in a car accident, seek medical attention immediately and make your doctor aware that you were in a collision. This information can help your doctor pinpoint potential injuries, so you get the treatment you need.

Whiplash Treatment Options and Possible Complications

Damage caused by whiplash is typically confined to the soft tissues in the neck and upper back. To diagnose whiplash, a physician will generally examine your medical history, review your symptoms, and conduct a medical examination. If your doctor suspects that whiplash caused bone fractures or herniated discs, they may also request X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans of your head, neck, and upper back.

Once whiplash is diagnosed, your physician will assess your situation and the severity of your condition before prescribing a treatment regime. For minor cases of whiplash, rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications may be all you need to make a complete recovery.

If you are diagnosed with moderate whiplash, your physician may recommend that you wear a cervical collar, also known as a C-collar. A C-collar will limit your range of motion and prevent you from overextending the muscles in your neck. Limiting the movement of your neck will give the soft tissues in the area time to heal.

In more severe cases of whiplash, your doctor may prescribe muscle-relaxing medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and lidocaine injections. Your physician may also recommend one or more rounds of physical therapy.

Although most people consider whiplash to be a “minor” injury, whiplash can lead to significant complications such as:

Chronic neck pain
Severe neck and back pain
Limited range of motion
Pain that eventually spreads to the extremities, especially the hands and arms

The pain associated with these complications can last for weeks or even months after the initial accident. Whiplash injuries may be particularly severe in older adults, as age can increase the risk of whiplash injuries and complications. Never hesitate to seek medical treatment after a crash, even if you initially feel fine.

Compensation for Whiplash

Did a careless driver cause the accident that gave you whiplash? Then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Although the value of your compensation will vary depending on the cause of the crash and the severity of your injuries, you might be able to pursue money to cover your financial losses. In general, you might be able to recover compensation for the following:

An attorney can assess your injuries and losses and give you a more complete picture of what your claim may be worth. Whiplash can significantly impact your life. Talk to an experienced Augusta car accident attorney about your case and how a lawyer can help you get the money you deserve.

Connect with an Augusta Car Accident Attorney Today

At Chris Hudson Law Group, we believe nothing is more important than your health. Let us help you on the road to recovery. Call our office today at (706) 863-6600 to set up a free legal consultation. Let’s discuss your legal options for recovering compensation for your whiplash injuries and how we can help.