Whiplash is an injury that is common among motor vehicle accident victims. This injury can occur even in collisions that are seemingly minor. For example, whiplash injuries routinely result from rear-end collisions.
When another driver collides with the back of your vehicle, the impact can send your head whipping forward. The momentum of your vehicle can then cause your head to whip backward. This rapid back and forth motion can strain or tear the soft tissue in your neck.
If you have suffered whiplash in an accident that another driver caused, you have the right to pursue a legal claim against the at-fault driver. The team at Bader Law Injury Lawyers can help you maximize your opportunity to recover compensation for a whiplash injury. Call (404) 888-8888 to schedule a free consultation with an East Point whiplash lawyer today.
Diagnosing Whiplash
One of the challenging aspects of a whiplash injury is obtaining a correct diagnosis. Whiplash is a soft tissue injury, meaning that an x-ray will likely not turn up any evidence of an injury. In some cases, symptoms may not appear right away, either. The difficulty with diagnosing whiplash or providing demonstrable evidence of the injury can weigh heavily on a claim for compensation.
Insurance companies may argue that the victim is exaggerating the effects of the injury. In some cases, they might even imply that the victim fabricated the injury entirely.
Thankfully, there are other types of scans that can provide demonstrable evidence of a whiplash injury. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these tests include:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). An MRI involves a series of large magnets connected to a computer system. These magnets can make a digital image of your organs and soft tissues, which can uncover signs of a whiplash injury.
- Computer Tomography Scan (CT Scan). A CT scan makes use of both x-rays and other technology to make highly detailed images of your body from different angles. These scans can provide helpful information regarding your muscles, bones, or internal organs.
In addition to these advanced tests, your doctor can rely on other factors to diagnose whiplash. Their efforts typically start with your medical history. If you have a history of neck injuries—including whiplash—this will play an important part in your diagnosis. Additionally, your doctor will also perform a physical examination that can reveal signs of a whiplash injury.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash accidents lawyer serving East Point, call (404) 888-8888
Treating Whiplash
According to the Mayo Clinic, many whiplash injuries clear up on their own in a matter of weeks. As a result, much of the effort in treating whiplash revolves around managing pain using prescription medication, massage, or chiropractic care, among other options.
Treating whiplash also focuses on restoring a normal range of motion in the neck. Most people suffer both pain and stiffness, and efforts to restore that range of motion can reduce most of the symptoms of whiplash. Physical therapy can play an important role in this part of your recovery. Other ways to speed up the recovery from whiplash include:
- Rest. Simply resting your neck in the days following a whiplash accident can have a huge impact on your recovery.
- Cold. Applying a cold compress to the strained muscles in your neck can reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.
- Muscle relaxants. In addition to prescription or over-the-counter pain medication, you might also find muscle relaxers helpful as well. These drugs loosen tight muscles in the neck, which can soothe pain and aid sleep.
- Injections. Sometimes the pain of whiplash is so severe that any form of physical therapy is impossible. Injections of lidocaine can numb the neck enough to allow for physical therapy.
- Foam collars. While doctors no longer recommend long-term use of foam collars to treat whiplash, they remain a solid option for the days following the injury. They are especially helpful in keeping the neck in position while sleeping.
The financial cost of treating whiplash can be extensive. In many cases, these costs can represent a financial burden that can overwhelm most accident victims. The good news is that a lawsuit could result in compensation for these expenses.
An East Point whiplash lawyer can help you evaluate your injuries and identify the full amount of compensation you may recover. To get started, dial (404) 888-8888 and schedule a free consultation with the Bader Law Injury Lawyers today.
East Point Whiplash Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Time Limits on Bringing a Whiplash Injury Lawsuit
If you have suffered a whiplash injury due to the negligence of another driver, a personal injury lawsuit could provide your best odds of obtaining compensation. However, there is a limited timeframe for filing a whiplash injury lawsuit. Every injury claim filed in East Point must comply with the state’s statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is a mandatory legal deadline. According to Georgia law, a victim has two years to file a lawsuit from the date the injury occurs. For those who miss this deadline, the court has the power to dismiss the case entirely, no matter how convincing the underlying claim might be. An attorney can help ensure that you bring your claim within the deadline and avoid these consequences.
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Seek Compensation for Your Whiplash Injury
The unexpected cost of paying for whiplash treatment—not to mention for the repair or replacement of your vehicle—can upend your budget and complicate every aspect of your life. In cases where your injuries prevent you from working, you could also experience other financial complications.
An East Point whiplash lawyer can help you pursue a legal claim for all of your injury-related damages. This includes your medical bills, your lost wages, and any other losses that stem directly from the whiplash accident. To learn more, call (404) 888-8888 to schedule your free consultation with the Bader Law Injury Lawyers.
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