Whiplash is a very common result of a car accident in Roswell. Whiplash can be incredibly painful and debilitating, but it’s not always taken seriously from a legal standpoint. That’s why, if you suffered whiplash after an accident, it’s best to speak with a Roswell whiplash accident lawyer right away.
At John Foy & Associates, we have seen firsthand the pain and long recovery whiplash brings. We are dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve after an accident you didn’t cause. You should not have to pay for the costs of the accident, including treatment expenses for whiplash.
With more than 20 years of experience representing those injured in car accidents, we know what it takes to win cases. Contact us today and we’ll get you started with a FREE consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started for FREE.
Whiplash Is a Real and Valid Car Accident Injury
Popular media and hearsay have led to the narrative that whiplash injuries are overexaggerated or even made up. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whiplash is a serious injury requiring prompt treatment and rest.
There are different degrees of whiplash. In some cases, it can prevent a person from working, sleeping, or functioning as they could before the accident. Whiplash can require days, weeks, or even months of treatment and recovery, and can lead to chronic neck pain and other complications for some sufferers.
What Is Whiplash?
Mayo Clinic defines whiplash as a neck injury caused by “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Many different types of trauma can cause whiplash, including car accidents—especially rear-end collisions.
When you are in a car accident, the force of the collision can cause your head to suddenly snap back and forth, straining and stretching the muscles in your neck. The cervical spine is forced to extend past its regular range of motion during the accident, which can cause damage to various tissues.
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Whiplash Symptoms Might Not Show Up Right Away
Symptoms of whiplash can include:
- Pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Range of motion issues
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Whiplash can impact other areas of the body, too, causing numbness, tenderness, or tingling in the arms, upper back, or shoulders. A whiplash injury can lead to sleep issues, trouble concentrating or remembering things, increased irritability, and even anxiety or depression.
Although the symptoms of whiplash are real and can be very serious, they might not show up right away. At first, you might only experience mild pain or soreness that seems okay. It might take hours, or even a day or two, for you to fully feel the injuries.
Don’t Wait to Get Treated for Whiplash
Since you cannot see whiplash visually after an accident (and it doesn’t show up on imaging tests), it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. If you do end up having serious whiplash, your doctor can evaluate you and make sure you get the treatment you need. Seeing a doctor right away will also help you when you file your personal injury claim seeking compensation for your damages.
Insurance companies are always looking for ways to reduce what they have to pay on accident claims. If you claim to have whiplash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might try to:
- Downplay the whiplash injury;
- Say you didn’t actually suffer an injury; or
- Try to claim that you were not hurt in the accident.
Getting prompt medical attention will create a record of your whiplash pain and the treatment you received. If you are not sure how to approach this situation, talk to a Roswell whiplash accident lawyer right away.
Treatment for Whiplash Injuries After an Accident
Thankfully, many whiplash injuries do get better with time. However, some can result in long-term pain and other issues. Even if you do fully heal, you should still not be held responsible for the cost of treatment when another person caused your accident injuries.
After your whiplash injury, your doctor will work to reduce the pain, improve your range of motion, and help you return to life as it was before the accident. Here are some treatment options your doctor may prescribe.
Managing the Pain
Pain management is a big part of the treatment for whiplash. Your doctor might recommend any of the following:
- Rest and recovery
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Prescription medications
- Hold or cold applications
- Injections
- Muscle relaxants
Regular Movement
Stretching and gentle exercises can help you begin to restore your range of motion. Helpful exercises may include:
- Head tilts
- Neck rotations
- Shoulder rolls
- Forward-and-back neck stretches
Physical Therapy
For more serious whiplash cases, you might be referred to a physical therapist who can help you improve range of motion and pain management.
How Liability Works in a Roswell Whiplash Accident
When a car accident occurs, the person who caused the accident is liable for the damages. If someone has breached their legal duty through negligence, you can seek recovery for your damages (Georgia Code section 51-1-6).
Typically, the insurance company for the at-fault driver is actually responsible for the costs. Your lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim with the insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies rarely make it easy for you to get the recovery you deserve.
Insurance adjusters know that most accident victims have never had to deal with this process before. They may use a variety of tactics to get you to accept a much lower settlement than you deserve. But working with a Roswell whiplash accident lawyer will help protect your rights and ensure you know what a fair settlement looks like.
Get Help and a Free Consultation from a Roswell Whiplash Accident Lawyer Today
If you suffered whiplash injuries from an accident another driver caused, get the legal help you need today. At John Foy & Associates, we make it easy for our clients to get immediate legal assistance at no risk. We do not charge a fee unless we win you money in your case, so there are no upfront costs to worry about.
To schedule a FREE consultation, call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. We’ll evaluate your case, answer any questions, and get you started on the path to a fair recovery.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form