The sudden motion causes the tendons and ligaments in your neck to stretch and tear, resulting in whiplash. Whiplash can range from mild to severe. In its mild form, it can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, some people experience chronic pain as a result of a whiplash injury. Whiplash can also cause memory loss, difficulty concentrating, sleep disruption, and other symptoms. These conditions have an effect on the victim’s quality of life.
Those who suffer whiplash or other neck trauma in a car accident that was not their fault have a legal right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses. To find out how an auto accident lawyer at the Law Office of Doug Goyen can assist you, give us a call at (972) 599 4100 or send us an email. We can offer a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation. We represent clients throughout Texas, including Dallas.
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SIGNS YOU HAVE SUFFERED WHIPLASHWhiplash symptoms, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), include:
This list does not include all of the symptoms of whiplash. Any sign or symptom of whiplash should be investigated by a physician to ensure that no permanent damage has occurred. This could prevent the onset of a disability or other serious conditions with long-term consequences.
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DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SEVERITY OF WHIPLASHWhiplash can be mild or severe, depending on the severity of the accident. Modern vehicle safety systems are more likely to prevent severe whiplash, but there is still a chance that it will occur. If this is the case in your accident, it is critical that you seek medical attention.
One of the most difficult aspects of whiplash to deal with is the long-term impact it can have on your health. Whiplash is a tissue injury to the neck muscles, which may be weak while healing. This allows you to reinjure yourself with less physical effort, which can lead to a long-term neck problem.
Whiplash is dangerous because of the possibility of long-term consequences. Even if you do not believe your situation is serious, seek medical attention. A medical evaluation can assist you in taking the appropriate steps to manage your recovery. It will also be used as evidence if you choose to seek compensation.
The Law Office of Doug Goyen, a Dallas whiplash injury lawyer, would like to hear from you to see how we can assist you. Contact a member of our team right away.
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HOW LONG CAN WHIPLASH LAST?With proper care, the majority of people who suffer from whiplash after an accident recover completely. Seeing a doctor and having your condition evaluated makes it simple to devise an effective treatment plan.
Long-term Consequences of Untreated Whiplash: Untreated whiplash can result in serious health problems and long-term pain. Neck muscles and tendons that have been torn or overextended can limit the range of motion and put pressure and stress on the neck, shoulders, head, and spine. Whiplash can affect the brainstem and spine in addition to the neck and head.
If not treated promptly, these symptoms can progress to full-fledged health problems. Each case of whiplash injury is unique and necessitates unique treatment, but the advice to victims is the same–seek professional help or risk further injury. The injury can result in other, more serious conditions such as:
Mobility Issues: Whiplash or a neck injury can cause pain and stiffness that prevents you from performing your job duties or common daily tasks. Inflammation and swelling in the muscles of the neck, upper back, and head, making it difficult to move those sensitive areas or fully turn or crane the neck or head.
If left untreated, neck pain can worsen and lead to secondary conditions such as headaches, migraines, and shoulder pain that radiates to other parts of the body. Chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and other options, depending on the degree and location of the pain, are provided by chiropractors and physical therapists for shoulder and neck symptoms of whiplash from car accidents and other injuries.
Vertigo is a condition in which a person feels as if they are falling or spinning in a still environment, and in many cases, they also become dizzy or faint. Vertigo and other imbalance sensations can make you feel nauseous or sick, but they can also cause you to lose your balance and fall, posing serious health risks. Many whiplash victims report dizziness and vertigo.
Vertebra misalignment: Whiplash frequently causes the uppermost vertebrae in the neck to move out of proper spinal alignment, limiting an individual’s range of motion, causing damage to these vertebrae, and even skewing normal posture.
Degenerative Disc Disease: Untreated whiplash can have long-term consequences, even contributing to Degenerative Disc Disease–a condition in which the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorate or break down, resulting in pain, weakness, and numbness.
Neck injuries can cause cervical spine misalignment, resulting in many cases of non-vestibular dizziness. Whiplash from car accidents is also notorious for causing dizziness, a complication. Dizziness is frequently caused by whiplash or other neck injury or pain, and it results in a sense of disequilibrium. Vertigo sufferers may benefit from chiropractic or physical therapy adjustments to the upper cervical spine.
Headaches are common after a whiplash injury, with pain radiating from the neck to the forehead and back or sides of the head. Chronic headaches, radiating pain, or pain at the base of the skull may occur immediately after whiplash or in the days to weeks following and can worsen if left untreated.
Neck pain can spread to the back, upper shoulders, head, and vertebrae, causing pain and soreness that can lead to debilitating headaches or migraines. Headaches that last for several months after a whiplash injury is usually attributed to that injury and require medication as well as physical adjustments or treatments to resolve. A concussion can be caused by a blow to the head or a sudden movement of the head that causes neck strain and whiplash. Untreated whiplash or a concussion can cause neurological symptoms such as weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and excessive tiredness.
Chronic Pain: Untreated whiplash increases the risk of chronic pain and soreness, even years after the injury or car accident. Neck muscles and ligaments that have been torn or stressed require careful treatment and take time to heal properly. Overworking these muscles and ligaments can aggravate the situation, resulting in chronic pain, soreness, and difficulty performing routine tasks or movements.
While most whiplash patients see improvement in their condition within a few weeks or months of the injury, for those who do not seek treatment, chronic pain and discomfort can last for months, if not years.
Severe whiplash may tear fine muscles in the neck or upper back, contributing to upper cervical spine dislocation or herniation. Untreated whiplash can cause previously undetected symptoms of degenerative disc disease, such as upper back and lower neck pain, difficulty stretching or moving the back, and less flexibility and resilience to day-to-day wear and tear. Normally, the discs between the spinal vertebrae act as shock absorbers and help the back flex and bend, but with degenerative disc disease, these discs wear down and offer less protection from injury and movement.
For the best outcome, people suffering from whiplash should seek treatment immediately.
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HOW DOES WHIPLASH HAPPEN?Car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions, are one of the leading causes of whiplash injuries. This is especially true in cities such as Dallas, where rear-end collisions are common. Whiplash does not have to occur as a result of a high-speed car accident. Crashes at speeds of less than 5 or 10 miles per hour can generate enough force to cause whiplash.
People get whiplash for a variety of reasons, not just car accidents. Other traumatic events, such as assaults and accidents while participating in sports like football or basketball, can also result in whiplash.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU HAVE SUFFERED A WHIPLASH INJURYIf you suffered whiplash in a car accident or another incident caused by another person’s negligence or misconduct, the steps below may assist you in recovering damages:
Hire an experienced whiplash injury lawyer in Dallas.
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HOW A DALLAS WHIPLASH INJURY ATTORNEY CAN HELPThe process of obtaining compensation for your whiplash may add to your already stressful situation. You can focus on your health and recovery while also pursuing legal action if you have a lawyer to guide you through the legal procedures.
Having as much evidence as possible to prove the other party’s liability may assist you in justifying your claim. The lawyer may obtain accident reports from the police and investigate whether the motorist at fault engaged in reckless driving behavior, such as speeding. Such actions are illegal in Texas and may be used to prove that the driver was at fault.
An attorney may also interview witnesses and conduct investigations into other possible liable parties. For example, there could have been more than one careless driver at the time. They may also be responsible for your whiplash injury, and you may wish to file a claim against them as well.
The attorney can also help you gather all of the documents you’ll need to prove your injuries and expenses, such as medical bills and medication receipts.
If insurance negotiations fail to resolve the case, you may be able to file a lawsuit in Texas courts. The judge or jury will consider the argument and evidence to determine whether or not you are entitled to reparations. If necessary, a Dallas whiplash injury lawyer can testify in court on your behalf.
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HOW MUCH CAN YOU RECEIVE IN DAMAGES FOR A WHIPLASH INJURY?When determining how much compensation you may be entitled to in damages, your lawyer must consider all of your losses and out-of-pocket expenses. We can combine the values of your economic and non-economic damages to determine fair compensation for your claim once we have obtained evidence of them.
A car accident may result in the following recoverable damages:
Call the Law Office of Doug Goyen at (972) 599 4100 to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can assist you in obtaining compensation for your whiplash injury.
Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100
DO NOT MISS DEADLINES IN FILING A CLAIM FOR A WHIPLASH INJURYWhiplash, along with other injuries sustained in a car accident, can cause long-term pain and discomfort. You may not have the physical, cognitive, or emotional resources to prove, build, prepare, prove, and file a personal injury lawsuit while you are recovering from your injuries.
According to Texas law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within the time frame specified, you may not be able to file it at all. You can avoid running out of time to file a lawsuit by involving a personal injury lawyer on our legal team in your compensation fight right away. We may be able to ensure that you have the time you need to focus on your healing in addition to ensuring that your lawsuit is filed on time.
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GET HELP FROM A DALLAS WHIPLASH INJURY LAWYERIf you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident that resulted in whiplash, you should consult with an experienced Dallas whiplash injury lawyer who can assist you in obtaining financial compensation not only for your physical injuries but also for any other harms your injury may have caused in your life. Contact our office today to schedule a free case consultation with a knowledgeable member of our legal team—we work on contingency, so you will not be charged unless you win! We understand how difficult it can be to fight for financial recovery, and we are ready to use our experience to guide you through the process so you can get the compensation you deserve. To schedule your consultation, please contact an auto accident attorney at (972) 599 4100.
By Doug Goyen, douggoyen@goyenlaw.com
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