What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a common injury in motor vehicle accidents and falls. Insurance adjusters often dismiss whiplash as a “minor” injury that does not require medical attention.  However, whiplash can be extremely painful and limit movement. In some cases, chronic whiplash can have long-term health consequences for some accident victims. The Pinder Plotkin Legal Team treats all cases involving whiplash seriously. We believe that accident victims suffering from whiplash deserve to be compensated for their medical bills, physical pain, lost time from work, and other damages. We do not believe whiplash should be treated as a “minor injury” by insurance companies. Contact Pinder Plotkin LLC by calling 410-525-5337 to learn how we can help you file an injury claim for whiplash. Our Parkville whiplash injury lawyers understand how to approach these claims and challenge insurance companies that refuse to pay valid whiplash claims. What Causes Whiplash? When the tendons and muscles of the neck tear and stretch, you may suffer a neck strain. On the other hand, if the ligaments in your neck stretch and tear, you may suffer a neck sprain. Neck strains and neck sprains are both commonly referred to by many people as whiplash. Whiplash is caused by the sudden and forceful jerking motion of the head backward and forwards causing the soft tissues of the neck (ligaments, muscles, or tendons) to stretch and tear. Rear-end car crashes are one of the most common causes of whiplash because the victim’s head “whips” backward and forward from the sudden impact to the rear of the vehicle. However, whiplash can occur from any car crash, fall, or other personal injury accident that causes your head to jerk backward and forward. What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash? While the symptoms of whiplash may not be immediately apparent, you should know what to watch for if you suffer a neck injury. Some accident victims suffer symptoms of whiplash within hours after an accident. However, the symptoms of whiplash may not appear for several days after the injury, or minor aches and pains may become chronic and debilitating in the days and weeks following the accident. Therefore, symptoms you should be aware of after a neck injury include:

• Stiffness when you try to move your head or look over your shoulders
• Pain that increases when you turn your head, look over your shoulders, or rock your head to the right and left
• Impaired movement or mobility
• Headaches that can begin in your neck and radiate toward the top of your head
• Tenderness or tightness in your neck
• Chronic pain that does not seem to ease or grows continuously worse with time

In addition, some people who have whiplash also have a concussion. Therefore, you should also know the signs of a concussion and act quickly since concussions can be very serious and may require immediate medical treatment. How Can I Treat Whiplash? For some accident victims, rest, OTC pain medications, and time are effective treatments for whiplash. However, some cases of whiplash do not heal on their own and require medical intervention. A doctor may perform diagnostic tests to rule out another injury that could be complicating the whiplash. Depending on the severity of the injury, a doctor may prescribe a neck brace, massage therapy, physical therapy, injections, pain management medication, muscle relaxers, or ultrasound treatments. Should I File an Injury Claim for Whiplash? If another person injures you and you suffer damages, you have the right to file an injury claim under Maryland’s personal injury laws. Whether you are successful in recovering compensation depends on several factors. First, you must prove that the other party caused the accident. After establishing fault, you must then prove that the accident caused your injury and you suffered damages because of the injury. Because whiplash is a soft tissue injury, insurance companies may hesitate to pay the full value of an accident claim. Some companies outright deny the claim while other companies offer settlements that grossly undervalue the victim’s true damages. Our Maryland whiplash injury lawyers work closely with you and your physicians to compile evidence of your injury. We utilize several methods for collecting information and evidence that substantiates the severity of the whiplash injury. Our lawyers aggressively argue whiplash cases and are not timid about filing lawsuits and taking a matter to trial if that is in the best interests of our clients. Insurance companies know which law firms settle cases to avoid court — we do not have that reputation because we are experienced trial attorneys in addition to skilled negotiators. Contact a Maryland Whiplash Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation Our Maryland whiplash attorneys represent clients in Parkville, Bel Air, and throughout Maryland. Contact Pinder Plotkin LLC at 410-525-5337 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Maryland personal injury lawyers.     The information provided in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject. The information contained in this blog is also subject to change and should not be relied upon. Contact the Pinder Plotkin Legal Team for a FREE consultation.