A large number of automobile accidents result in some degree of whiplash injury. Over one million people in the United States suffer a whiplash injury each year. Between 25 and 40 percent of those who suffer whiplash injuries never fully recover.
Whiplash injuries can range from minor to severe, and some have long-lasting or permanent effects on your daily living.
If you or someone you care for has been the victim of an automobile accident and suffered a whiplash injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Experienced Washington personal injury attorney Quinn Posner at the Posner Law Office, P.C. can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash occurs when a person's head moves suddenly forward and backward as the result of force from a car accident. When the ligaments and other muscles in your neck are forced to extend beyond their typical range of motion, extreme pain and other symptoms may result.
This injury most typically occurs as a result of rear-end collisions but may also occur from any motor vehicle accident. Studies have shown that whiplash symptoms, while more common in high speed collisions, can occur in accidents with speeds as low as 5 mph.
When you are struck by another vehicle from the rear, your neck can move around 18 inches at a force as high as 7 G's in under a quarter of a second. Such severe strain on your neck tears the muscles, ligaments, and nerves in that area. The resulting symptoms of whiplash can greatly complicate and limit how you live your life.
What are the Symptoms?
Whiplash symptoms usually present within twenty-four hours after an accident, or may present up to a few days later. Symptoms can last for up to several days or weeks. Symptoms of whiplash can include the following.
- Headaches, especially feeling pain in the base of the skull
- Dizziness
- Feeling of constant exhaustion
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Jaw pain
Non-physical symptoms may include:
- Issues with memory and concentration
- Irritability
- Ringing in the ears
- Problems sleeping
More severe symptoms may include the pain spreading to your shoulders or arms, or even weakness or numbness in your arms. In approximately 75% of patients, whiplash symptoms last for more than six months.
In certain extreme cases, whiplash is sufficient to cause a permanent disability.
Compensation for Your Injuries
If you have suffered whiplash as the result of an automobile accident, and the accident is another person's fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered. A personal injury lawsuit may be filed against the person who caused the accident. Personal injury lawsuits can recover damages including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earnings
- Vehicle repair
- Pain and suffering
An experienced Washington personal injury attorney can guide you through the complicated legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Consult with an Attorney
If you have been injured in an automobile accident, you may be entitled to damages in the form of financial compensation. Highly experienced personal injury attorney Quinn Posner of Posner Law Office, P.C. will fight for your rights. Contact Quinn Posner today for a free consultation of your case.
