If you experience neck pain or headaches after a car accident, you may be suffering from whiplash. This type of injury occurs when the head and neck are forced into violent, rocking motions, which is typical in a serious auto accident. If you are suffering from whiplash after being in a car accident in Maryland, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer about filing a claim and getting compensated. A Maryland whiplash injury lawyer, like Randolph Rice, can explain your legal options and determine whether you might have a case.
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we possess years of experience fighting against careless drivers and insurance companies. If your accident was caused by another driver’s reckless or negligent actions, such as speeding or driving while intoxicated, we can help you pursue every dollar that you are entitled to for your injuries. Contact us online right away to set up a free legal consultation, or call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash, also called a neck strain or cervical strain, is a neck injury that commonly occurs in automotive accidents. Like a sprained ankle or torn ligament, whiplash is categorized as a soft tissue injury (as opposed to, for instance, a bone fracture). Soft tissue injuries can be difficult to diagnose, which can make them difficult to prove when you are pursuing injury compensation. Having a skilled whiplash accident attorney on your side is essential when filing a claim for soft tissue injuries after a crash.
Whiplash is caused when excessive force is applied to the neck, forcing a rapid back-and-forth motion that can damage structures like ligaments, muscles, and cervical discs. This motion is similar to a whip cracking, giving the injury its nickname. Depending on the severity of a whiplash injury, healing time may range anywhere from several days to several months, though some people experience chronic neck pain that persists for years after the accident. Potential treatments include physical therapy, pain medication, treatment with heat or ice, ultrasound treatments, or cervical facet injections, which are steroid injections into the affected area.
Common Effects of a Whiplash Neck Injury
Like other injuries, whiplash can range in severity from minor to debilitating. While a minor case might resolve on its own within several days or weeks, more severe cases can require months of carefully managed treatment under professional supervision, with some patients even requiring steroid injections or ultrasound therapy.
Depending on the severity of the injury, whiplash symptoms and effects may include:
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Fatigue
- Headaches, typically concentrated near the base or bottom of the skull
- Pain and/or tingling in any of the following areas:
- Your arms
- Your jaw
- Your lower or upper back, especially between your shoulder blades
- Your neck
- Ringing ears (tinnitus)
- Stiff muscles or joints, especially in the neck or shoulder areas
Types of Auto Accidents Most Likely to Cause Whiplash
Whiplash injuries can occur in any type of auto accident, including car accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents. While any type of crash or collision could potentially cause neck injuries to a driver or passenger, whiplash injuries are most frequently seen in rear-end collisions, particularly those which occur at high speeds. the faster the striking vehicle was traveling at the moment of impact, the greater the forces exerted, and the higher the potential for serious injury.
Getting Compensated for Whiplash Injuries After a Car Crash in Maryland
While some whiplash injuries heal on their own, others require costly medical treatment. You may also be suffering from other injuries, such as bone fractures, cuts, or dislocated joints. If your accident was caused by the negligent acts of another driver, including commercial drivers like truckers and school bus operators, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, along with other losses you sustained because of the accident. For instance, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages, along with damage to your vehicle and personal property. A Maryland whiplash lawyer, like Randolph Rice, can help you file your car accident claim and pursue compensation aggressively.
Maryland Whiplash Injury from a Car Accident Attorney
Whiplash injuries can be difficult to diagnose, a fact which insurance companies sometimes use to their advantage. Protect your rights by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Maryland for whiplash injuries. Randolph Rice will work tirelessly for you and your family, gathering evidence, analyzing coverage, and dealing with insurance companies who try to deny liability. If you believe that you were the victim of another driver’s carelessness, we are here to help. To set up a free legal consultation, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online, or call (410) 694-7291 today.