Did You Sustain Whiplash in a Crash?

Our Houston car accident lawyers are ready to fight for you

Whiplash is a common injury seen in car accidents, often in rear-end accidents. It’s a painful and restricting injury that can impact your daily activities. It can also affect your ability to work, leading to a loss of income. The car accident lawyers at Smith & Hassler understand the impact that car crash whiplash can have and fight to help you recover compensation.

During a collision, your head can whip violently backward and forwards, much like the cracking of a whip. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck can be stretched beyond their usual range of motion. Symptoms may include pain in the back, neck or shoulders, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness. Symptoms may also take a day or two to appear.

It can take a couple of weeks to recover from whiplash after a car wreck. Treatment often involves rest and pain medication. You may also need to wear a neck brace or collar. You may need follow-up visits with a doctor to make sure you are healing properly.

How do I know if I have whiplash from a car accident?

The best way to find out if you have whiplash is to see a doctor as soon as possible. Whiplash symptoms can worsen if left untreated. When you get a medical evaluation, a doctor can identify the injury and begin treatment before it leads to further complications.

During an examination, a doctor will assess the range of motion in your neck, the degree of pain, and any tenderness. They may also check for headaches, dizziness, or numbness.

X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to rule out other conditions or to assess for more severe injuries such as fractures, dislocations, or damage to the spinal cord, especially if the symptoms are severe or persistent.

What are the long-term complications of whiplash?

If left untreated, whiplash can lead to persistent complications. That includes chronic neck pain and stiffness, chronic headaches, nerve damage, reduced range of motion, vertigo, tinnitus, and cognitive problems.

How is whiplash diagnosed and treated?

The process usually begins with a doctor reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam. They'll ask about the details of your car accident, the onset of symptoms, and the specific nature of the pain and discomfort.

A doctor will also check the range of motion in your neck and shoulders, assess the degree of motion that causes pain, and check for tenderness in the neck, shoulders, or back.

While standard X-rays can't detect whiplash, they are often used to rule out other conditions like fractures or dislocations. More detailed imaging tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, might be used if your doctor suspects a more severe injury, particularly if you have severe or persistent symptoms.

Treatment for whiplash may include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications.
• Rest and activity modification.
• Physical therapy.
• Heat and cold therapy.
• Alternative therapies such as massage, chiropractic care, or acupuncture.

Can I sue if I get whiplash in a car accident?

You deserve financial compensation for the whiplash injuries you suffered in a car accident caused by negligence, but it can be a complicated process. The insurance company may not take your injuries seriously. An experienced lawyer can take legal action on your behalf and build a strong case that leads to a successful resolution to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

A negligent driver may have been speeding, driving recklessly or texting, but the driver may deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for the accident.

Don’t expect much help from insurance companies. They are mostly interested in protecting their own financial situation. To keep profits as high as possible, they will try to keep payments as low as possible. There are many tactics that they use to try to limit your financial compensation.

Insurance companies often don’t take whiplash seriously and may challenge the seriousness of your injuries. Or they may argue that your symptoms are from a pre-existing injury. They may argue that you caused the accident and that they are not required to pay. In some cases, they’ll make a low-ball settlement offer that falls far short of covering the damages you suffered.

Do I need a lawyer for my whiplash case?

Whiplash is a serious and painful injury, but it can be difficult to prove. A lawyer with experience, legal knowledge and resources can make a big difference. Strong cases built on evidence and medical opinion often convince insurance companies that it’s in their best interests to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs.

The insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interests. That’s why you need an experienced car accident lawyer who will fight for your rights. Our firm knows how insurance companies operate and how to fight back to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

We start by getting the facts. Our legal team gathers evidence and carefully reviews accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists who can help us understand how the accident happened.

Our firm has been fighting for the injured since 1989 and has earned a reputation among insurance companies. They know that we are always prepared with strong cases and don’t stop fighting for clients until we get the right results. It’s one reason why we are often able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs.

If you suffered whiplash in a Houston car accident, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.

"I had what I thought was a simple case of whiplash after a automobile accident. This was my first experience with getting an attorney for a car accident. As it turns out the insurance company for the other driver was being hard-nosed and not accepting of my medical bills as being reasonably charged by the medical providers. What I thought was going to be a cut and dry case required more action on my attorney's part to "work" on my behalf. Daragh Carter was my attorney at Smith & Hassler. I could not be more happy with my whole experience. I never doubted his dedication to my case. At every turn of challenges, he had a plan and he handled it perfectly. I was pleased with the outcome and thankful I had someone like Daragh on my side." - Lorrie