Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents. The ramifications of a whiplash injury can be far-reaching, leading to long-term pain and financial struggles.
If you suffered whiplash or another neck injury in a Myrtle Beach car accident that was someone else’s fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. Let the car accident whiplash attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm navigate the claims process and pursue maximum compensation for you.
Our Myrtle Beach car accident lawyers want to help you deal with your whiplash injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is a Whiplash Injury from a Myrtle Beach Car Crash?
With so many warm-season tourists and winter snowbirds coming to Myrtle Beach, traffic and out-of-town drivers are a big part of everyday life – and with them come more car accidents. Myrtle Beach car accidents often result in whiplash injuries, even from low-speed crashes.
Whiplash happens when the head is jolted backward and forward during a car accident, typically in a rear-end collision. The sudden motion damages the soft tissue in the neck, shoulders, and cervical spine – the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Many whiplash injuries can make daily tasks at work or chores at home like lifting kids, cleaning, or climbing stairs difficult and painful.
Whiplash symptoms may not appear right away. You may not feel pain until hours, days, or even weeks after the accident, a dynamic known as delayed symptoms. It is essential to see a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident to evaluate your injuries and identify signs of whiplash.
Common Symptoms Experienced by Whiplash Victims
While whiplash symptoms vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury, common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck stiffness
- Neck pain
- Limited range of motion in the neck and shoulders
- Increased pain with neck movement
- Headaches and head pain starting at the base of the skull
- Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Inability to sleep
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Irritability
- Depression
Medical Treatment for Whiplash Injuries
Treatment for a mild whiplash injury includes applying heat and ice to the affected area to reduce swelling and improve discomfort. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications to ease neck pain and stiffness. Wearing a neck brace could help prevent an initial injury from becoming more severe. A CT scan, X-ray, or other tests may be necessary to determine the extent of the whiplash injury and to rule out damage to the spinal cord, bone injuries, a neck sprain, or other conditions with similar symptoms.
More severe injuries typically require more extensive whiplash treatment. Some people may experience long-lasting neck pain, muscle spasms, and other symptoms of whiplash. If severe pain persists or worsens, your doctor may recommend prescription painkillers or injections to alleviate the symptoms. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be an option to treat whiplash in certain cases. Your doctor may also refer you to physical therapy, chiropractic care, or massage therapy to increase flexibility, enhance range of motion, and reduce chronic pain.
Types of Compensation Available for Whiplash Victims
If you sustained a whiplash injury in a car crash and someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation from them. Each accident is unique, and compensation will depend on the severity of your injuries and the extent of your related losses. The compensation you might receive comes in several different categories.
The first category is economic damages, which compensate you for dollar-and-cents losses, including present and future medical bills related to your whiplash injury. That includes doctor visits, scans and imaging tests, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and other medical care. Economic damages also include compensation for lost wages if you must miss work due to your injuries. You may also be able to recover damages for lost earning capacity if your injuries require you to take a job that pays less than you could earn without impairment.
The second category is non-economic damages. These losses are just as real, but they don’t come with a price tag attached. Examples include compensation for the ongoing pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish the whiplash injury caused.
In extreme cases, you may also recover punitive damages. Punitive damages seek to punish the at-fault party for egregious conduct, recklessness, or gross negligence. Although punitive damages are awarded infrequently, the facts of your case may warrant them.
Our compassionate and dedicated Myrtle Beach whiplash car accident lawyers can determine how much you have lost due to the accident and pursue the total compensation you deserve.
Role of a Myrtle Beach Car Accident Whiplash Attorney
We understand that navigating the insurance claims process in the aftermath of a whiplash car accident can be overwhelming and stressful. Our team of legal professionals is here to take that stress away so you can focus on your recovery from the pain and impairment the neck injury caused. Your health is our top priority.
We’re ready to file your claim against the insurance company for the at-fault driver. We can build your case and develop a solid legal strategy. The Myrtle Beach car accident attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm have the experience and resources to investigate the accident and gather evidence. We’ll collect medical records, police reports, and proof of lost wages to support your position. We’ll interview eyewitnesses and, if necessary, hire experts, such as doctors, accident reconstruction specialists, and financial advisers.
We handle all the paperwork, phone calls, and communication with the insurance companies, so you don’t have to. We’ll negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to pursue a fair settlement. We’ll advise you on whether accepting a settlement or going to trial is better. We are ready to fight your case in court if necessary.
We’ll inform you of your case’s progress and consult you before making decisions about your claim. We’ll explain the complex South Carolina accident laws so you understand where you stand.
Why Choose Our Whiplash Attorneys in Myrtle Beach?
The experienced whiplash attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm have been helping Myrtle Beach crash victims for over 50 years. We are familiar with local courts and procedures and understand your unique challenges. We’ll fight for the results you deserve and use everything at our disposal.
We offer a free, confidential review of your case. Contact us today for a free consultation. You will owe us nothing unless and until we successfully recover compensation for you.
