Can You Get Whiplash from a Side-Impact Collision?

If another driver has hit your car from the side, it’s important to know that you can get whiplash from a side-impact collision. If you’ve been involved in such an incident, you’ll want to monitor your neck for stiffness and pain. You’ll also want to reach out to an Atlanta side-impact collision lawyer ASAP.

At John Foy & Associates, we understand how painful and financially stressful a car crash can be. That’s why our team is here to pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain, and other losses. With over 20 years of experience, you can count on us to make your claim for compensation as successful as possible. 

Symptoms of Whiplash from a Side-Impact Collision

There are several symptoms you may experience after getting whiplash from a side-impact collision. Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms and side effects of this condition can help you get the medical treatment you need to protect your health.

Make sure to monitor yourself for the following whiplash symptoms after a side-impact collision:

• Neck pain
• Stiffness in the neck area
• Pain that worsens when moving neck
• Range of motion issues with neck
• Headaches that radiate from the base of the skull
• Shoulder and arm pain
• Numbness in arms
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness

If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident or another type of incident, you’ll want to seek medical attention from a trusted provider. They’ll be able to diagnose your injury and provide the treatment and information you need to make a full recovery.

Steps to Take After a Sustaining Whiplash in a Side-Impact Collision

If you’ve been in an accident, it’s always best to play it safe and get checked out by a doctor right away. Even if you don’t feel pain immediately, the initial shock of the accident could be hiding a serious injury that you’ll feel the effects of later on. 

Seeing a doctor can ensure your injuries are treated and prevent further complications from occurring. Although seeking treatment for whiplash after a side-impact collision is important, there are several other actions you’ll want to take.

Make sure to follow these steps after an auto accident:

• Call law enforcement and give them a statement
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver(s) 
• Don’t apologize or admit fault to anyone involved, as it could be used against your claim
• Take photos of the vehicles, vehicle damage, your injuries, and the accident scene
• Talk to eye-witnesses and take down their contact information
• Don’t accept any offers from the insurance company without talking to an attorney
• Hire a lawyer to help you file an insurance claim for compensation

Compensation You Could Receive for Your Whiplash Injury

When you hire an Atlanta car accident lawyer to help with your personal injury claim, they’ll assess all the economic and non-economic losses you’ve taken on due to the incident. Using your medical bills and other relevant records, they’ll calculate how much you should receive from an insurance settlement.

Personal injury lawyers are closely familiar with the challenges that a whiplash injury from a side-impact collision can present. Therefore, your attorney will work tirelessly to recover every last penny you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses. 

Depending on the injuries, losses, and other obstacles you’ve been burdened with, your attorney may request any of the following damages from the insurance company:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care costs
• Ambulance and emergency room bills
• Cost of physical therapy, medication, and assistive devices
• Vehicle repair costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How Long You Have to Pursue Compensation for a Side-Impact Collision in Georgia

If you’ve sustained whiplash in a side-impact collision, you won’t want to delay your claim. That’s because the state of Georgia has a statute of limitations that all personal injury plaintiffs must abide by. According to the statute, which is described in Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a civil suit against the at-fault driver.

If you fail to take legal action in two years, you’ll be prevented from seeking compensation for the injuries, pain, and financial losses you’ve suffered. Instead of missing your chance to seek fair financial remedies, reach out to an experienced attorney as soon after your accident as possible.

Meet With an Experienced Side-Impact Collision Lawyer for Free

The days and weeks following a car wreck can be incredibly stressful and painful, especially if you’ve gotten whiplash from a side-impact collision. Fortunately, the team at John Foy & Associates can offer the compassionate support and legal representation you need to move forward.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted car accident lawyer. They’ll meet with you to assess your situation and help you explore your legal options. If you agree to work with our firm, you’ll benefit from our 20+ years of legal experience. We look forward to hearing from you soon and fighting for the damages you need to make a full recovery.